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

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

Ernest W (Bon) Barrie was the Shire of Melton councillor South Riding from 1969-1971, and member of the Water TrustLetter to the ratepayers in the Melton Shire local identities, council

"Melton has a long and celebrated history of horse breeding and racing. Draught horses were a crucial aspect of life in the early days of European settlement, and were heavily depended upon for both transport and agricultural labour. Peppercorn trees at the corner of Station and Brooklyn roads have been associated with a horse trough installed there to provide a drink to workhorses carting produce to the chaff mills and railway station south of Melton.20 Breeders, trainers and harness drivers in the area later became such an influential force in the equine industry that this came to be a defining aspect of the district’s identity and reputation.Pioneer of the Victorian horse racing industry and early Rockbank squatter William Cross Yuille was one of the earliest importers of stud racehorses in the district in the 1850s. A leading sports editor and writer, Yuille established bloodstock auctioning agency W. C. Yuille & Co. and was involved in the compilation of the first Australian Stud Book, which ensures the integrity of thoroughbred breeding in Australia. According to early Melton chronicler Alexander Cameron, horse races were first organised in the area by Rockbank farmer William Keating. Keating owned racehorses of his own, and many brought horses from Melbourne for the events, which ‘drew large gatherings’.22 Melton Racing Club meetings were held on the Exford Estate with the permission of H. W. Staughton, who built a small wooden grandstand in 1882. Other early races and sports meetings are said to have been held in the vicinity of the current-day Melton golf course.23 An 1884 article reported that Melton’s ‘race programme … equals any put forth by country towns of far greater size’. Ernest Clarke was another important figure in the early horse racing industry in Melton. He established the Melton Stud in 1902, which bred numerous successful racehorses. Perhaps most notably The Welkin, one of the most famous stallions in Australian horse racing in the early twentieth century. The Welkin sired Gloaming, bred by Clarke at the Melton stud in 1915 and one of Australia’s greatest champion racehorses. During a long and prestigious career in both Australia and New Zealand, Gloaming achieved a triumphant 57 wins out of 67 starts and won a record amount of prize money. Ken Cox purchased the Stockwell Stud in Diggers Rest in 1957 and developed it into one of the largest and most renowned thoroughbred breeders in Australia. With its top-class facilities, international design standards and scientific methods, Stockwell became ‘the flagship of the Victorian breeding industry’.26 As well as racing studs, numerous trotting tracks were established on the flat plains around Melton in the 1960s.27 Other studs to play a leading role in the development of Melton as thoroughbred country were Cornwall Park and Merrywood at Toolern Vale, St John’s Lane Stud at Diggers Rest and Birchwood, Teppo Park and Dreelburn in the far north-east of the shire, near Sunbury. By 1985, thoroughbred horse breeding was such big business in Melton that the shire council adopted the slogan ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, which was used throughout its promotional material.29 But the slogan contained deeper meaning and was not just about Melton’s great equine industry and thoroughbred champions, the council explained: ‘“Thoroughbred Country” should be seen as a new concept of Melton, as a place where people can achieve the “Thoroughbred” ideal, excellence in all aspects of life’. The aim of the council in promoting ‘The Heart of Thoroughbred Country’, was ‘to instil in present and future residents the feeling that this is a place that is better than others. A place to be proud of’. In 1988, Melton’s champion reinsman Gavin Lang won his 176th race of the season, claiming the national harness racing record for the most wins in a single season.The following year, the first Melton Plate was held at Moonee Valley Racecourse, cementing the district’s importance in the harness racing industry. The inaugural winner was Victorys Phil, owned by local Danny Mullan. By the 1990s, Melton had earned the title of the ‘Home of Harness Racing in Victoria’. State-of-the-art, world-class harness racing facility and entertainment complex Tabcorp Park opened in Melton in 2009. In 2011, the Shire of Melton was home to over 140 registered trainers and over 1,200 horses. The municipality’s continuing leadership and influence in the industry today is a testament to the skills, talents and leadership of the local community over its history".Shire of Melton pamphlet of a map and information of the equine industry in Meltoncouncil

Eddie and his wife Lorraine Gillespie were part of The Willows Restoration Committee and he was a member of the Mt Cottrell Fire Brigades Group.The Melton Express article about Eddie Gillespie elected as Shire president for Melton Councilcouncil, local identities

Built by Water Browne c.1903 Greenhills was one of the first pastoral runs, and centres of European settlement, established in the Shire of Melton. Estate in Diggers Rest Coimadai Road, Toolern Valelocal architecture, pioneer families

The Bridge Road Bridge built in 1913 by Sir John Monash for the Shire of Melton. It was built to provide railway station access to the new farming areas.Black and white photo of the bridgetransport, council

The Melton State School No. 430 built in 1869-70, with the bluestone additions constructed in 1877 and the brick additions in 1924.It is the only remaining nineteenth century school in the Shire of Melton. Sketches were part of preparation for production of Red Book 'The first 100 years'.education, local identities, local significant events

Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. Autograph was written in the inside cover of Plains of Promiselocal identities

2295.01 - Map Shire of Melton Composite Property Map|2295.02 - Map Parish of Tiullamarine with property owners|2295.03 - Map Parish of Maribyrnong with property owners 1892|2295.04 - Map District map of Melton Bulla Keilor Broadmeadows Essendon Sunshine Footscray Altona and Williamstown|2295.05 - Map Riverside Projects Masterplanmap

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

Scots Presbyterian Church now known as the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church and former church hall are historically significant at at the Local level (AHC A4). It was built after the Melton’s ‘United’ church and school, erected by Protestant denominations in 1857 in an effort to share resources in the pioneering era, was replaced by individual churches in the 1860’s. The church became the home of and is expressive of the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, began in Melton from the early 1970’s, and formally concluded by the formation of the Uniting Church of Australia in 1977. The new additions and functions of the church are expressive of the increase in Melton’s population especially in the 1970’s and the changing nature of the parish’s ministry. The church is one of only three remaining nineteenth churches, and one of only two remaining bluestone churches, in the Shire of Melton. Information from Shire of Melton Heritage Study Stage 2 Volume 6 David Moloney 2007 Barrie, Vass, Robinson, and other families gathered at the front of the church churches, local architecture, local identities

Melton and Moorabool Leader Star Weekly newspaper articles of Melton Shire Councillorscouncil, local identities

Mr Colin Trethrowan seeking election for Melton Shire Council, article featured in The Express council, local identities

The Uniting Church (originally the Scots Presbyterian Church) was built 1865-67) and adjacent former Church Hall / Sunday School (built 1938), Yuille Street, Melton. The adjacent former church hall, now kindergarten facility. The Uniting Church and former church hall are historically significant at a Local level (AHC A4). It was built after Melton’s ‘United’ church and school, erected by Protestant denominations in 1857 in an effort to share resources in the pioneering era, was replaced by individual churches in the 1860s. The church became the home of and is expressive of the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, begun in Melton from the early 1970s, and formally concluded by the formation of the Uniting Church of Australia in 1977. The new additions and functions of the church are expressive of the increase in Melton’s population especially in the 1970s, and the changing nature of the parish’s ministry. The church is one of only three remaining nineteenth century churches, and one of only two remaining bluestone churches, in the Shire of Melton. Information from Shire of Melton Heritage Study Stage 2 Volume 6 David Moloney 2007 At the opening of the new extension to the churchlocal identities, churches

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

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

Cottage of Edward Toohey (died 1898) a Shire contractor and road maker. Ned, his son worked with Frederick Myers building many of the bluestone roads in the Shire of Melton. In the background is the brick house built for Martha Myers in 1967. Martha and husband Frederick (born 1877 in Melton) resided in the Myers (Miers) house on Western Highway beside the gully near Reserve road. Frederick lived there for 86 years. The house was built in 1867 by Henri and Ann nee Dowling Myers. Demolished 1968. Martha Myers house was demolished in 2011 to become a car park. Mary and Jack Tolhurst removing roof of Ned Tooheys house (site of Senior Citizens ).local identities, misc.

This list of factories in the City of Sunshine is an extract from a report by K.G. Wilson, L.R. Dryer & R.A. Scaramella, prepared for the Melbourne Western Region Commission (WRC). The Melbourne Western Region Commission was a major inter‑municipal planning and advocacy body operating across Melbourne’s western suburbs in the late 1970s and 1980s. It coordinated planning, heritage studies, and regional development across multiple councils. The Commission brought together a broad sweep of western-region councils City of Altona, City of Essendon, City of Footscray, City of Keilor, City of Sunshine, City of Williamstown, Shire of Bacchus Marsh, Shire of Melton & Shire of Werribee. The Melbourne Western Region Commission was one of the most important institutional predecessors to the region’s later heritage, planning, and community‑development frameworks.This report records the business name, type of industry and address of businesses operating in the City of Sunshine in 1984.Factory Name or Occupier A. Korinfsky & Connolly A.J. & J.N. Cook A.R.C. Engineering Pty Ltd Air Refiners Aust Pty Ltd Ajax Pumps Pty Ltd Albion Explosive Factory (Department of Defence) Alliance Printing Co. Pty Ltd Aqua Heat Australia Pty Ltd Aranem Furniture Pty Ltd Arrar Pty Ltd Australain Tube Mills Pty Ltd Australian Quality Closures (Volanda Nominees Pty Ltd) Aztec Sheet Metal Industries Pty Ltd B.G. & J.M. Douglas Nominees Pty Ltd Berkeley Appatel Pty Ltd Berkshire Kitchen Cabinets Pty Ltd Blade Engineering Pty Ltd Boka Engineering Pty Ltd Boneham Engineering Pty Ltd Brand Engineering Toolmaking (Vic) Pty Ltd C.G. Carlton Pty Ltd C.J.T. Niven Pty Ltd C.M.A. Foam Group (Cablemakers Aust Pty Ltd) Campbell & Paterson Engineering Pty Ltd Cargo Newpack Industries City Insulations Pty Ltd Classic Garage Construction Cliff Poole Industries Pty Ltd Collie Cooke Consolidated Conlo Constructions Pty Ltd Connor Shea & Co. Pty Ltd Consolidated Partition Industries Holding Pty Ltd Cosmoplitan Clothing Manfacturers Crea Fashions Pty Ltd Currie Furniture Manufacturing Pty Ltd D. Richardson & Son Ltd Dalco Hardware (Dalco Pty Ltd) Daveyduke Industries (Mimvic Nominees Pty Ltd) Debora Downs Pty Ltd Deer Park Engineering Pty Ltd Deer Park Flyscreens (Azzopardi & Associates Pty Ltd) Dieselflex Pty Ltd Donald Minahan Pty Ltd Drava Continental Butchers & Smallgoods Manufacturer Drilling Equipment (Van Dyke Pty Ltd) Dunham Welding Engineering Pty Ltd E. & F. Industries Pty Ltd E.P. Morrisey & Co. Pty Ltd Elite-Built Holdings Ltd Englehold Engineering Pty Ltd Everlast Steel Products Explosive Factory (Department of Defence Support) Extruded Metals Pty Ltd Exy-Fit Screens F. & D.M. Costa Pty Ltd F. & I. Pfeffer Holdings Pty Ltd F.J. Humphrey Pty Ltd Fallshaw Holdings Pty Ltd Ferrous Forgings Pty Ltd Fleet Engineering Pty Ltd Fletcher Chemical Co. Ltd Franklin Printing & Lithographic Co. Pty Ltd Fraser Cabinets Pty Ltd G. & L. Stone Pty Ltd G.A.M. Engineering Industries Pty Ltd G.P.I. Automotive Products Pty Ltd G.U.D. Manufacturing Co. Pty Ltd G.W. Gregory Engineering (Aust) Pty Ltd General Printing Ink (Aust) Pty Ltd George Press Pty Ltd Griffiths & Beeren Pty Ltd Gubbata Nominess Pty Ltd Harkrome Electroplaters Pty Ltd Hills & Mason Pty Ltd Hydraulic Equipment & Cylinder Service Pty Ltd Hy-Du-Ex I.C.I. Australia Operations Pty Ltd I.H. Mono & Co. Idea General Engineering Industrial Engineering Invicta Group Industries Pty Ltd K. & B. Windows Pty Ltd K.C. Furniture & Cabinets K.D.S. Manufacturing K.M. Tubular Industries (Aust) Pty Ltd K.P.T. Clothing Manufacturers (K.T.P. Fashions Pty Ltd) Kanga Engineering Pty Ltd Keilor Footwear Pty Ltd Kelgrif Patterns Pty Ltd Klipspringer Pty Ltd Krueger Transports Equipment Pty Ltd Langmar Pty Ltd Layton Granite Industries Pty Ltd Lesvos General Products (Gabbia Pty Ltd) Lewis Foundry Lysaght Durham Chemical Company (Austram Corporation Ltd) M.C.I. (Aust) Pty Ltd M.J. Billings M.S.M. Cabinets Pty Ltd Maidstone Cabinet Works Marble Art Company Marib Cutter Sharpening Service Massey-Ferguson (Aust) Ltd McIntyre Steel Industries (Vic) Pty Ltd Midway Press Business Forms Mirna Cabinets Manufacturers Pty Ltd Monsanto Aust Ltd Morgan Cabinets Morris Structural & Engineering Newroll Industries Pty Ltd North Sunshine Cases Novio Insulation (Vic) Pty Ltd Olex Cables (Dunlop Olympic Ltd) Ordnance Factory (Department of Defence Support) P. & S. Siegel Pty Ltd P.S. Fenech Pty Ltd Pacific Carpets Internations Pty Ltd Pattern Productions Pauls Woodworking Pty Ltd Penthouse Furniture Co. Pty Ltd Peter Bouris General Steel Work Pomona Printers Pty Ltd Presstool Manufacturing & Grinding R.E.M. Constructions Pty Ltd R.J. Thompson Nominees Pty Ltd R.M.D. Press Co. Pty Ltd Ralph McMay Ltd Reeco Industries Pty Ltd Regina Terrazzo Tile Robcliff Printing Rockwell Standard of Australia Ltd Saturn Quality Trailers Pty Ltd Sedco Pty Ltd & Sunshine Extrusion Die Co. Pty Ltd Sign City Pty Ltd Smithweld Pty Ltd Smorgan Consolidated Industries Solo Signs Spafco Pty Ltd Stafford Engineering Pty Ltd Star of Paris Pty Ltd Steel Improvement Pty Ltd Sunset Joinery Pty Ltd Sunshine Engineering Pty Ltd Sunshine Group Industries Pty Ltd Sunshine Joinery Pty Ltd Sunshine Metal Polishing Pty Ltd Sunshine Trailers Sunshine Vitreous Enamellers Pty Ltd Sunshine Wrought Iron Super Cartridge Superstyle Tubular Manufacturers Pty Ltd Talkprint Pty Ltd Tenderfoot Shoes Treble Printing Co. Trifoleum Pty Ltd Ultra Scales Pty Ltd United Scales Pty Ltd V.P. Hawthorne Nominees Pty Ltd Vinidex Tubemakers Pty Ltd Vitas Engineering W. & H. General Engineering Pty Ltd W. Pridham (Aust) (Peerless Processing Co Pty Ltd) W.G. Engels Pty Ltd W.L. Allen Foundry Co. Pty Ltd Wakefield Repetition & General Engineers Warren & Brown Co. (Repco Ltd) Westbury Joinery Co. Holdings Pty Ltd Western Containers Pty Ltd & Chanel Press Pty Ltd Westgate Engineering Westside Joinery Pty Ltd (The Bulman Family Trust) Westwork Industries Wiltshire Tools Pty Ltd Worsted Finishers (Aust) Pty Ltd melbourne western region commission

Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS) Foundation Member, 1968 Held President and Secretary positions from its inception Research associated with the classification of Heritage buildings Christ Church Classification C Scots’ Presbyterian Church Classification D Set up the storage and Catalogue system in the Office at the Willows Organised society visits to Heritage sites in and beyond the Shire of Melton, including Stathtulloh, Eynesbury, Deanside, ToolernVale sites including Merrywood (now demolished) Staughton Vale, Chirnside, Point Cook, Shwerkolts Cottage. 1970 – 1983 Melton and District Historical Society Letterhead. Staughton Memorial Light from early newspaper cutting in its location before restoration to present location. Sketch by Wendy Barrie. Designing and printing pamphlets, stationery, and other sale items with Willows title. M&DHS street naming research for new housing developments (1970 – 2000). Collaborated with Mary Tolhurst to research the names of early landowners and pioneer families connected to the first settlers. Researched Aboriginal names for inclusion on lists submitted to developers. An early example is the naming of Kuranjang and the street names associated with the McPherson family. Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. (She was also present at his last bike ride at Rochester in 1995.) Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies. Member attending meetings and representing Melton, also hosted the Group at Melton Edna receiving a framed certificate local identities, local special interest groups

"The Uniting Church and former church hall are historically significant at a Local level (AHC A4). It was built after Melton’s ‘United’ church and school, erected by Protestant denominations in 1857 in an effort to share resources in the pioneering era, was replaced by individual churches in the 1860s. The church became the home of and is expressive of the union of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, begun in Melton from the early 1970s, and formally concluded by the formation of the Uniting Church of Australia in 1977. The new additions and functions of the church are expressive of the increase in Melton’s population especially in the 1970s, and the changing nature of the parish’s ministry. The church is one of only three remaining nineteenth century churches, and one of only two remaining bluestone churches, in the Shire of Melton".Dinner celebrating 150 years of the churchchurches

The Western Region of Melbourne Commission incorporated the local government areas of City of Altona, City of Essendon, City of Footscray, City of Keilor, City of Sunshine, City of Williamstown, Shire of Bacchus Marsh, Shire of Melton & Shire of Werribee. The Melbourne Western Region Commission (WRC) was a collaborative body formed to address the unique planning, social, and economic challenges of the western suburbs. Its key purposes included: - Strategic Regional Planning: Coordinating infrastructure, transport, housing, and industrial development across multiple municipalities such as Footscray, Sunshine, Williamstown, and Werribee. - Cultural Heritage Conservation: Commissioning detailed studies to identify, document, and protect sites of industrial, social, and architectural significance. - Community Engagement and Advocacy: Acting as a voice for the western suburbs in dealings with state and federal governments and promoting equitable access to services and funding. - Support for Local Councils by providing professional services, training, and policy guidance to its member councils and shires.The Western Region of Melbourne A Finding List Supplement 1978-79western region of melbourne commission

Currently the headquarters of the Melton Historical Society, the Willows was built in 1855 by a farmer called Ralph Parkinson. In 1867, it was purchased and extended by James Ebden Minns. His son, George Minns, was given the property by his father in 1903, George was a council member of Melton Shire for 37 years and after he eft the area in 1951, the property became derelict. Although due to the support of the community, Melton Shire Council purchased the property in 1972 and to assist with the restoration, a group was established called the Willows Restoration Committee. The members included Chairman Cr Ed Gillespie, Lorraine Gillespie, Mr & Mrs Alan Reed, Ken Young, Bill Amor, Edna Barrie, Max Watson, Cr Jeff Robinson and Wendy Barrie.Restoration was completed in 1982.The Willows before restoration in 1973. This is the view of the front of the house and part of side wire fencing.council, local special interest groups, pioneer families, local architecture, local identities

Built in the 1850s, The Willows was purchased by Melton Shire Council in a dilapidated state in 1972. At a time of rapid change and growth, the restoration of the homestead, its transformation into the headquarters of the Melton & District Historical Society and the creation of The Willows Historical Park saw the community embrace its past while simultaneously looking to the future.History of the Willows Homestead Melton and Moorabool Leader articlelocal identities, local architecture, local significant groups

"A perpetual spring in the adjacent creek provided a steady supply of fresh water to the site on which the homestead is built. Although we can not be certain of the identity of the builder, the first stage of ‘The Willows’ homestead appears to have been constructed in the mid 1850s. The house is situated on Crown Allotment No.1 (No Section), Parish of Kororoit, an allotment of 5 acres 3 roods 4 perches. Although it had surveyed the land, the Crown did not offer it for sale until 22nd November 1861, at which time it was purchased by Charles March Williams. (Although the property is directly opposite and immediately adjacent to the Township of Melton, and was sold as ‘Suburban Allotment 33’, it was situated within the Shire of Braybrook rather than the Shire of Melton until 1917.) Considerable improvements had taken place on the land prior to the Crown sale. When CM Williams purchased the allotment in November 1861 he paid £23.5.0 for the land itself, and valued the improvements at £400. Even allowing for some exaggeration by Williams, this is an extremely high valuation for improvements, and must have included a house. Some local research has claimed that in 1858 Williams had taken over the interest of a Mr Parkinson in the property, and that Parkinson built the house upon taking possession of the land c.1855. It was definitely built by 1861, when a map shows a square building on the site marked as ‘House’. The property is important in the district for its association with the establishment of the pound. The district pound had been established in 1854, when George Scarborough of Mount Cottrell (Mt Cottrell Road, south of Greigs Road) was appointed pound-keeper. Scarborough resigned in 1857. The pound was moved to Melton following agitation from local farmers and Charles March Williams appointed pound-keeper on 26th April 1858. Williams, the son of a doctor, had been born in London. Reminiscences of local residents of the time, as recorded in the Express newspaper, note Williams’ success in breeding horses on the property. Sales of up to 60 guineas were noted. Whether this was from Williams’s own stock or from unclaimed pound stock is not made clear. Williams appeared before a government inquiry in 1860 and advocated registration of all stock brands in the State. Williams died in 1862 leaving a widow, Catherine, and five living children aged 15 years to five months. At the time of his death Williams had entered negotiations with one Matthew Devenish and had a mortgage of £100 on allotments 1 and 2, Parish of Kororoit. Catherine Williams was appointed pound-keeper on 2 September 1863, with her eldest son Charles as her assistant. Her tenure was short for on 22nd March 1864 George Minns senior paid Matthew Devenish £135 for allotments 1 and 2 Parish of Kororoit (considerably less than Williams had claimed the property was worth in 1861) and on the same day paid William Tullidge £45 for the adjoining allotments 3 and 4. In April 1867, James Ebden Minns, the newly married son of George senior became the owner of The Willows property having entered into a mortgage arrangement with his father to the extent of £200. At the time George Minns was residing in Kaarimba having left Melton in 1867 for a short trip to England and upon his return having taken up a selection in the Kaarimba district with his son Frederick who had a hotel licence there. James paid out the mortgage on 2-1-1873. James Minns was appointed pound-keeper in 1872; in 1885 the pound was moved elsewhere and Minns purchased the old pound site and added it to his farm. The Willows residence underwent a major change about this time. A two room extension, similar in style but with a lower elevation was added to the original rear of the house with a chimney matching the distinctive originals. Window arrangements did not match the original but became a feature of the façade when the new addition became the front of the building. Six buttresses were attached to the east and west walls of the old building, two to the south wall and the whole rendered with mortar to give the appearance of dressed stonework around the windows. Galvanized iron was placed over the shingles and a verandah added on three sides. By 1876 The Willows was the homestead for a thriving mixed farm of 340 acres of which 156 was rented from a H. Ruck. In October of that year the Australasian travelling reporter visited and reported on the property. In common with the nearly every other property in the district the farm had ‘recently’ (generally within the last two years) abandoned cultivation of crops, and turned over completely to cattle pasture. Butter making was the principal occupation of the farm, which had about 50 head of cattle, a large proportion of which were milking cows. The reporter also noted that a ‘large number of pigs are kept upon this farm and are found to be very profitable stock’. Their manure was used in an orchard and garden in which ‘large quantities of lucerne and prairie grass are grown for the use of stock when ordinary feed is scarce’. Two bores attached to deep brick lined wells supplied water for the house in addition to the farm. A commodious timber barn and necessary sheds had also been constructed. Access to the property was improved following the construction of the bluestone ford across the creek c.1887, when the recreation ground came into use. Prior to this date it may have been that the crossing referred to as ‘Mr Minns bridge’ was used. This appears to have been a flimsy structure and has but two references in Council reports in the Melton Express in the 1880’s. It is believed that in the late 1890’s a timber building was added near the rear of the building to house a kitchen, ablutions and laundry rooms and rooms for seasonal workers. This was attached to the house by means of a trellised walkway using the original front entry to the house (long since the back door). A photograph of this building appears in a local history of Melton. This was demolished in recent decades during the period when the house was tenanted (after the Minns family had left). James Minns son, George, took over the property following his marriage to Alice Walsh in 1903. James and Caroline moved into a house on the former JH Games property at the eastern end of Henry Street. George held the position of Shire Secretary for Melton for 40 years. He was a most prominent member of the community being Secretary to, among others, the Melton Coursing Club, the Shooting Club and the Cemetery Trust. He also rode with the hunting parties who sported across the Plains and were entertained at Mount Kororoit. George and Alice had one son, Norman who followed his father into local government and became Secretary of the Shire of Werribee completing a record term in this position. George retired to Werribee in 1951, where he died in 1965. The National Trust records note that James Ebden Minns and his sons were ‘leading men of the district, Justices of the Peace, and Shire Councillors’. It claims that Sir Thomas Bent was a frequent visitor. The Willows passed into the hands of George’s grandson, Bruce Minns and the property was let for a number of years. In the 1960s it became vacant and was subject to vandalism. Major structural problems arose with the part demolition of the roof, the loss of windows and doors and holes dug into and under the floorboards. The outbuildings were particularly targeted. Following widespread public support, the Shire of Melton purchased the house, with 3.75 acres of land, in 1972. In 1975 the Shire of Melton and the Melton and District Historical Society were successful in nominating the building for National Trust classification, and then the Australian Heritage Commission’s Register of the National Estate. The AHC particularly noted its ‘townscape importance’. It was envisaged that the farmhouse would form ‘a picturesque centrepiece to Melton’s planned … historical park, along with Dunvegan bluestone cottage … and similar structures as they become available.’ In a time of great Melton’s ‘satellite city’ development the Council spelt out its broader vision in its submission to the AHC: ‘Melton is destined to become, by the end of the present century, a city of between 75,000 and 100,000 people. Significant relics of the past, such as ‘The Willows’, regrettably will be rare in that situation. It is essential that sufficient tangible links with Melton’s pioneering days remain to promote in the new community a sense of history and continuity’. Under the direction of ‘The Willows’ Restoration Committee and consultant architect John Hitch, all outbuildings, with the exception of the garage and toilet, were demolished and the dwelling house restored. Finances were provided by the Shire of Melton and the National Estate Grants Program, and considerable amount of voluntary labour was provided by the local community. The orchard was removed, and remaining wooden buildings were relocated to provide an open vista for visitors to the Park. The property was furnished with donations from district families keen to preserve this example of pioneer life in the area. The Willows became the headquarters of the Melton and District Historical Society". Invitation to the family reunion at the Willowslocal identities, pioneer families

Early member of the Bush Fire Brigade, Bon Barrie saw the need for improved speed of communication. With the formation of the Country Fire Authority by mid 1950 Melton introduced H F high frequency two way radio sets. A set was located in the Barrie home, which was an idea location to observe smoke sighting given its 360 degree view of the distant horizon. A large antenna was built to improve reception and sending strength. Author – Edna Barrie hand written notes. 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. The Base Radio was installed at the Group Headquarters by the CFA. Brigades contributed to half the cost. A grant of $1000 was made available by the Shire of Melton in 1969 toward the cost of VHS (Very High Frequency) replacing the HF(High Frequency) Radios which has been introduced in the 1950’s. Shire of Werribee and the City of Keilor supported Werribee and Sydenham in a similar manner. The Call sign for the new group became VL3LY VHF Channel 1 163.12 m/cs. HF 3836 k/cs. Mount Cottrell Group's Wireless Licence Scheduleemergency services, local identities

Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor 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 School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Black and white photographs of Tom Barrielocal identities

Summary of Thomas Lindsay Barrie (1914 – 1990) A life long resident of Melton Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor 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 School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports note more research needed at Uniting Church Archives to determine the earliest and last date. Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Compiled by Wendy Barrie 2013 Councillor Tom Barrie, Shire President and a group of children at the opening of the building.council, local identities

Ferris Road–Ferris Lane family farm of John and Elizabeth Ferris until 1939, until daughter Marion married Thomas Linsday Barrie. Marion Elizabeth nee Ferris born 29th of August 1914 -died 5th of June 1990 SUMMARY - Thomas Lindsay Barrie 1914 – 1990 A life long resident of Melton Son of Jessie and Charles Ernest Barrie of Darlingsford Melton Married Marion Ferris at Christ Church Melton on 11th May 1939. They lived on the family farm at Ferris Road Melton. They had one son, Ian who has continued in farming in Melton. He served the community in the following – Shire of Melton Councillor Member for 32 years 1941 – 1970 Elected as Councillor for Melton South 1970 – 1973 Councillor 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 School. Melton Bush Fire Brigade 1941 Member Melton Bush Fire Brigade Registered No. 425 1942 1942 2nd Lieutenant 1943 – 1944 4th Lieutenant Country Fire Authority Rural Services Award 1963 20 Years Long Service Badge Scots Presbyterian Church Melton Member of the Board of Management 1947 – 1969 information from Annual Reports note more research needed at Uniting Church Archives Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racers. Darlingsford Drafts and Ponies. Order of Stalls Clydesdales – Dick, Dolly, Flower, Nugget, Blossom, Lofty, Prince. Roger, Rose, Violet, Don, Beauty, Baldy, Diamond. Cart and Mounts Creamy, Digger, Popsy Couple at Francis McGregor Barrie and Linda Willaton's wedding at Sunshine Methodist Church 20th April 1935?local identities