Ewan Ogilvy, former Melbourne Councillor and also of Community Services Victoria, Inner Urban Ministerial Advisory Committee and Uniting Church's Centre for Urban Research and Action (CURA), was instrumental in social justice approaches to town planning. He and CURA's Social Justice and the City Project funded Port Melbourne community groups protesting against the SCDC development in 1987. His files were presented to the Society in May 2001 on his preparation for leaving Victoria.From Ewan Ogilvy's chronologically organised 'Bayside Papers' relating to the proposed development of Port Melbourne industrial land in the late 1980s: Stapled photocopies of Inner Urban Ministerial Advisory Committee - Report on Social Impact Work for major Developments Jan 1988Signed 'Ewan Ogilvy'town planning, town planning - proposals shelved - bayside, public action campaigns, environmental issues, public housing, missions to seamen, ewan ogilvy, centre for urban research and action, sandridge city development co pty ltd, scdc, linton r lethlean, barry pullen - mlc

Nunawading Council spent $62,000 in the campaign against Metrail's now abandoned plan for railyards in the municipality. Ron O'Neill, the strategic planner revealed details of costs in a report to council committee. Payments went to consultants, solicitors. If the railyard had been built there would have been a loss of $77,000 in lost rates alone. The social and economic impact would have been significant. Council had been instrumental in ensuring that an environmental effects statement was prepared.Nunawading Council spent $62,000 in the campaign against Metrail's now abandoned plan for railyards in the municipality. railways, o'neill, ron, city of nunawading, nunawading railway depot

A case history of resort development in the Lake Tyers Beach Victoria coast area, considering the history of land use and future planning with regard to environmental impact and social requirements.natural history, land settlement

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. A copy of her Thesis is held in the Bendigo Historical Society Collection. Michele worked as an historian, undertaking numerous contracts for the former City of Bendigo Council, including researching and writing the Catalogue of Bendigo City Council’s Correspondence 1856‑1899. Since working at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre (BRAC), she has created an accompanying subject and person index for this catalogue. Michele also worked as the historian for Bendigo Bank, cataloguing their extensive record collection. She has also written articles, book reviews and teachers’ notes for documentaries. A personal highlight was writing the entry for Sir John Quick in the Australian dictionary of biography, vol. 11. Michele was an Archives Officer at BRAC since its commencement in 2008. Many of the records she looked after in her day‑to‑day work are the same ones she first used while researching for her Honours thesis back in 1983. She has spoken at many public functions about the records housed at BRAC, and is particularly proud of the digitised online project, Petitions of the people.This item includes the following five documents: 8672.19a Talk entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District 1925-1935 Four typed sheets This document analyzes the social and economic hardships faced by widowed, deserted, and single women in Bendigo and its district from 1925 to 1935, particularly during the Great Depression. The study centers on women without male breadwinners—widows, deserted wives, and single women—who were not considered "exceptional circumstances" by contemporary legal standards, despite their significant numbers. Many widows resulted from miners' phthisis (tuberculosis), leaving families destitute. Economic support was limited; widows often relied on outdoor relief (ODR) from the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum, typically in the form of food handouts. Employment options were mostly low-paid domestic service jobs (cleaning, laundry, sewing, charwork). Victorian widows did not receive state pensions until 1937, much later than in New South Wales. Desertion often occurred during or shortly after pregnancy, leaving women with young children and little support. Legal recourse for maintenance was costly and rarely effective. Like widows, deserted women depended on ODR and had limited employment opportunities. Financial assistance through "boarding out" (child welfare payments) was available but difficult to access due to strict guidelines and legal hurdles. Single women had more varied job opportunities, especially in factories (knitting, clothing, underclothes) and domestic service, but large-scale employers were few. The Great Depression sharply reduced available jobs for women. Single, unemployed women were ineligible for government sustenance relief, making them particularly vulnerable without family support. In 1933, a significant proportion of women worked in domestic service (e.g., 23.7% in Bendigo, 29.4% in Huntly). From 1925-1929, women made up the majority of new ODR applicants (e.g., 91.7% in 1926). The number of children in ODR families increased dramatically during this period, reflecting growing hardship. Female employment in local industries declined during the Depression, with total female factory workers dropping from 614 in 1929 to 423 in 1931.6. Widows, deserted wives, and single women in Bendigo faced persistent economic insecurity and limited social support before and during the Great Depression. The records of the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum provide detailed evidence of their struggles and the inadequacy of available assistance. These findings highlight the systemic challenges faced by women outside the male breadwinner model in early 20th-century regional Australia. 8672.19b Cue Cards for a talk on Entertainment for Children 1920s and 1930s, 18 hand held cards handwritten prompts (glossy paper). The talk was split into two parts "Local Public Entertainment" and "Family and Home Entertainment" 8672.19c Draft copy of Chapter four fo Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 14 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 to 103 Contact BHS for Details This document analyzes the social and economic impacts of widowhood, illness, and mining-related accidents on families in Bendigo and its district during the early 20th century, especially from 1925. The document concludes that unsupported women—widows, deserted wives, and single women—were marginalized and forced to rely on charity, highlighting the inadequacy of social policy in Australia during this period. 8672.19d Draft copy of Chapter four fo Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 12 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 of 105 Contact BHS for Details 8672.19e Draft copy of Chapter four of Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 11 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 to 103 Various pages Contact BHS for Detailsbendigo, brac, michele matthews collection

Ken and Doreen came to Beechworth on boxing day in 1959, when they were offered a business at a good price. This business was the Ovens and Murray advertiser, one of the oldest running newspapers in Australia. When they arrived Ken already had a background as a professional linotype operator, however both him and Doreen had no experience running a town newspaper. Ken and Doreen owned the paper till the 1980s, when they formed the Blake press. Throughout the years the Blakes kept up to date with Beechworth news, politics and events happening throughout the community, Ken was even permitted to sit in on the town committee meetings. They saw the town develop from a small mining town in rural Victoria, to a bustling, tourist hotspot.This oral history is significant because it shows how the town of Beechworth developed from a small outpost mining town to a popular tourist destination. It also showcases a different perspective of the towns development, that of the new owners (at the time) of the Ovens and Murrary Advertiser. The advertiser is an integral part of Beechworth's history and has been running since it was proclaimed a town (proclaimed a town in 1856, the advertiser first ran its paper in 1855). Without the advertiser the history of Beechworth would be buried, but with newspapers dating back all the way to 1855, Beechworth is provided with a rich and vibrant retelling of the history of their town and what life was like from 1855 to present day. Ken and Doreen's oral history provides an insight into what it was like revitalising a worn out part of history, of restoring it back to its former glory. They demonstrate the highs and lows of living and running a business in Beechworth through economic lows and the impact of both social and physical isolation.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.newspaper, blakes, ken and doreen, ovens and murray advertiser, beechworth, development, o&m, 1960s, 1980s, 1970s

Mr Tom Carey was born in 1940 in Beechworth to family from Beechworth and Woolshed. His family had strong associations with Australia's Gold Rush, with grandparents having followed the rush from town to town, and parents in Beechworth. Tom has strong associations with Beechworth and its surrounds, with his family having some connection to the Kelly Gang. Tom worked in many industries in Beechworth, from the Bridge Road, Price’s Store, tannery, post office, the Kiewa Murray Water Authority, and the Beechworth Council. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Mr Tom Carey account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details important historical events and hardships in the region's history that had a lasting local, regional and national impact, including Australia during war time, economic struggles, and women's and men’s societal roles in a rural area. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each sideMr Tom Carey/ beechworth, oral history, burke museum, tannery, beechworth council, kelly gang, bridge road, price’s store, post office, the kiewa murray water authority, woolshed, gold rush, carey, tom carey, listen to what they say

Allan Parkinson was born in Beechworth in 1924. The eldest of eight children, his mother provided laundry services to the people of Beechworth whilst his father worked for the local tannery, trapping rabbits. Allan fondly remembers times spent during his childhood catching rabbits with his father. As his younger years were set amidst the experiences of World War Two and the Great Depression, Allan recalls a feeling of solidarity amongst the residents of Beechworth that was present during this time(for instance, sharing food with neighbours in wartime), as well as the disassociation he felt as a returning soldier after the war. Allan talks of the great number of 'New Australians' who arrived in Beechworth in the post-war years, many of them coming from war-torn countries in Europe. Before being integrated into Australian society, these 'New Australians' would often first spend time at the Migrant Reception and Training Centre in Bonegilla, Northern Victoria. They were taught English and learnt about Australian life before being billeted out across the country to fill labor shortages. Following time spent up in Queensland, Allan worked in the forestry industry, clearing thousands of acres across Victoria which were needed to plant pines. The interview ends with discussions of the famous Wheelbarrow Push from Beechworth to Mt Buffalo in 1935, of which Allan's Uncle Tom was a central participant; this is an event which has since become an annual fundraising tradition in Beechworth. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: Voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Mr Allan Parkinson's account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the twentieth century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details important historical events and hardships that had lasting local, regional and national impacts, including Australia during wartime, post-war migration and economic struggles. This oral history account is historically and socially significant as it is part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth'. While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the twentieth century, many of which would have been lost if they had not been preserved. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white stripe and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up to forty minutes of recordings on each side. Mr Allan Parkinson / allan parkinson, oral history, beechworth forestry, forestry industry, beechworth tannery, jennifer williams, rabbit trapping, new australians, australian depression, rabbiting, bonegilla, bonegilla migrant camp, 20th century beechworth, wheelbarrow push beechworth to mt buffalo, barrowthon, wheelbarrow push 1935, listen to what they say, listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century beechworth, world war two, wartime, wartime solidarity, burke museum

Mason Robert was born in (unintelligible) in 19(unintelligible). Mason's grandparents were from Stanley, where Mason completed his schooling. Mason started working for the Forestry Commission in 1939 looking after Crown land but eventually went into the army in 1942. At the Forestry Commission, he was responsible for maintaining and looking after the land. Mason later went to work for the Lands Department after working at the Commission for seven years. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Mason Robert's account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He recalls some of the changes that Beechworth underwent such as the introduction of electricity in the 1950s and an increase in tourism. His account is important to the region's history in terms of important historical events such as WWII and other events impacting the region. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mr. Robert Mason/beechworth, mason robert, forestry commission, lands department, crown land, wwii, listen to what they say, burke museum, jennifer williams, oral history

Graeme Gallus was born on the Mornington Peninsular in a town called Sommerville, in 1938. His family was born in Germany and came to Australia in 1851. He arrived in Beechworth in 1981 after purchasing a taxi service. He talks about local businesses, government employment, community celebrations and clubs. Miss Amy Elizabeth Porrit's account of her life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. She details important historical events and hardships in the region's history that had a lasting local, regional and national impact, including Australia during war time, economic struggles, and women's societal roles in a rural area. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mr Graeme Gallussommerville, gallus, graeme gallus, taxi, beechworth, real estate, christmas, lions club