Showing 24 items
matching spark family
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Clunes Museum
Book - FAMILY TREE, Kaye Green, 1986
... spark family...FAMILY HISTORY OF THE SPARK FAMILY, A4 SIZE SPIRAL-BOUND...SPARK FAMILY HISTORY... history documents family tree spark family SPARK FAMILY HISTORY ...40 page spiral bound booklet completed in 1986 by Kaye Green noted as 'The Children and Grandchildren of John and Ann Spark'. It details each of their five children; John, William, Ann, James and George Spark. Their eldest son had a butcher shop on Fraser St in Clunes. FAMILY HISTORY OF THE SPARK FAMILY, A4 SIZE SPIRAL-BOUNDSPARK FAMILY HISTORYlocal history, documents, family tree, spark family -
Clunes Museum
Document - FAMILY TREE
... DOCUMENTS OF THE JOHN SPARK FAMILY TREE - 1851 ... HISTORY DOCUMENT SPARK NIL DOCUMENTS OF THE JOHN SPARK FAMILY TREE ...DOCUMENTS OF THE JOHN SPARK FAMILY TREE - 1851 NILlocal history, document, spark -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Book - Family History, John Coady, Sparkes Midlane Family Heritage, 1998
... The Family History of the Sparkes and Midlane families....Sparkes Midlane Family Heritage Draft Stamped Diagonally... grampians The Family History of the Sparkes and Midlane families ...The Family History of the Sparkes and Midlane families.White Paper Cover with Black Print White Card Back CoverSparkes Midlane Family Heritage Draft Stamped Diagonally On Bottom: April 1998stawell -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, C.1911
... SPARK FAMILY...Clunes Museum 36 Fraser Street Clunes goldfields SPARK ...WOODEN FRAMED, BLACK AND WIHTE IMAGE OF HUGH BELL SPARKON REVERSE, HANDWRITTEN IN BLUE BIRO: GRANDFATHER SPARK, AGE UNKNOWN C.H. SPARK, BELONGS TO E. H. MCKENZIE (OTHER WRITINGS NOWTSHOWN DUE TO PRIVACY)spark family, early clunes citizens -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, HORNBY STUDIO CLUNES
... SPARK FAMILY...Clunes Museum 36 Fraser Street Clunes goldfields SPARK ...TIMBER FRAMED, SEPIA STUDIO PORTRAINT OF FOUR MALES, SEATED AND STANDINGON MATTE BOARD, PRINTED: HORNBY CLUNESspark family, early citizens of clunes -
Clunes Museum
Certificate
... SPARK FAMILY..., AUSTRALIA LOCAL HISTORY DOCUMENTS CERTIFICATE SPARK FAMILY FRAMED ...ISSUED BY THE UNITED LODGE OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIAFRAMED CERTIFICATE PRESENTED TO JAMES HARRY LUCAS WHO WAS ADMITTED TO ALL NATIONS LODGE NO. 28 CLUNES ON THE 21ST DECEMBER 1909.local history, documents, certificate, spark family -
Clunes Museum
Book - BOOK PETER SPARK, SCOTTLAND TO CLUNES, 2007
... THEW STORY OF THE SPARK FAMILY FROM SCOTTLAND TO CLUNES... OF THE SPARK FAMILY FROM SCOTTLAND TO CLUNES CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN ...THE STORY OF THE SPARK FAMILYON FRONT COVER IMAGE OF FRAZER STREET, CLUNES VIC. THE STORY OF JOHN SPARK, ANN SPARK AND THEIR DECENDANTSnon-fictionTHE STORY OF THE SPARK FAMILYpeter spark, scotland to clunes -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Albert Jones, Photographer, c.1910
Photo supplied by B. Heddle reproduced on p137 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "Albert Jones, photographer. Born in 1879, Albert Jones owned the property Golden Glen at Wattle Glen. He was an orchardist and a very busy photographer, travelling over the Diamond Valley area recording everyday events, street scenes, and visiting homes to take family groups. With the help of Claude Burrows, cousin of Mrs Arthur Jones, he built hides from which to photograph local bird life. His hundreds of glass negatives lay forgotten in the basement darkroom until A,J. Spark of Balwyn purchased Golden Glen from Albert Jones's widow in the 1970s. His unclassified negatives are gradually being sorted by Mr Spark. All photos in this book from the Spark/Jones Collection are the work of Albert Jones."Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmalbert jones, diamond valley story, golden glen, photographer, wattle glen -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Newsletter CMHS October 2013 pdf, October 2013
The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin area residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts that are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum. Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interest. Jim Dale continued to produce the Newsletter in 2013 after Helen resigned.5 x A4 paper with Colour photos Jim Dale recounts the Commemoration of Harry Hawker and Harry Kauper’s landing at Loughshinny, County Fingal Ireland in August 1913. At our August Open Day Elizabeth Miller MP for Bentleigh and Jamie Hyams, CMHS member and Mayor of Glen Eria welcomed the Hawker Family on their visit and display on their relative Harry George Hawker. On the same day and we watched the days event in Loughshinny when Project Hawker 2013 with Jeff Boying and his crew in their Catalina came to the end. A spark plug which was retrieved from Hawker's aircraft at Loughshinney in 1913 will be forwarded to CMHS However,an item that was to be of National importance could not be safely stored at the Box Cottage Museum. On 5th September, the Director of RAAF Museum Point Cook, Victoria, Mr David Gardener received the 'Spark Plug ' from Jim and Chris Hawker Notices for members re AGM in October. Jim has compiled a 'History of The Cheltenham Scouts' 1911 (1909) - current.City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter October 2013.city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, dale jim, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, the moorabbin roads board 1862, city of glen eira, city of kingston, moorabbin shire, parish of moorabbin, brighton east, south brighton, bent tommy, scouting australia, cheltenham scout group, hawker harry, aeroplanes, moorabbin airport, world war 1, baden-powell sir robert -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Box Sewing Kit, pre 1952
This "sewing and darning" box was purchased before 1952 (the date that the Clark Brothers merged with J&P Coats). It was in an era where the production and alteration/modification to any household or personal clothing was carried out by a family member/s. This was at the period where self sufficiency in rural and especially remote areas was a requirement and not just a hobby. Clothing modifications and "hand me downs" was a way of life. The long and tiresome journey from home to millinery shops was a great force to ensure that home sewing was carried out in the majority of residential and farm areas.This sewing box was donated by a pioneer family in the Kiewa Valley. Its significance points to an era before the establishment of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme and the establishment of the Mount Beauty Township. It was a time when the rural industries of the Kiewa Valley was rich in production of beef, dairy products, tobacco leaf and before the mass of alpine adventurers that tourism sparked. It was a time rural enterprises out shone tourism.This wooden sewing box is covered with decorative paper. The lid is fastened to the bottom section with two small hinges each having four screws. Each side is fixed to the other by a mortise groove. At the front of the box is a small clasp for complete closure. The box contains needles, darrning thread, thimble, a glass vial with metal screwtop and a red plastic cylindrical container with a thimble screw on top(contains a small reel with three different cotton thread compartments).On outside lid "FROM A FRIEND. I DO NOT WISH THEE GRANDEUR, NOR YET A STORE OF WEALTH, I WISH THEE RICHER TREASURE, CONTENTMENT, PEACE & HEALTH", On inside lid "USE CLARK & CO ANCHOR COTTONS FOR HAND & MACHINE SEWING ANCHOR MILLS, PAISLEY" Each of the different sewing boxes from the Clark Bros. has a label with different "friend" passages.sewing box, hand stitching, domestic clothes alterations, haberdashery -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Class of 1922, Research State School No. 2959
The Children of Research State School in 1922 Photo and list of children provided by Ivy Reynolds to Ross McDonald. Ross has supplemented and filled in some blanks, from the children names in Andrew Lemons book 'Return to Research. A centenary of Research Primary School, 1989 ' page 103. Additional commentary provided by Ivy Reynolds in 2006. 1. Winnie La Frenz - a great friend of the Reynolds 2. Ruth Thompson - Wally Buttwell's niece 3. Bertha Wiltshire 4. Ivy Dickson (who grew up to be a good-looking woman) 5. May Norman - a cousin to the Reynolds through Ernest Reynolds 6. Elsie Shaw 7. Veenie Turner (Ivy was not 100% sure of her surname, but said she was not related to Hazel Turner) 8 Lil La Frenz (Lilian) - a bright spark and a lively tennis player 9 Lily Wilson (looks like a boy) - had red hair 10 Hazel Turner - a cousin of the Reynolds who lost her mother very early in life. Her father remarried and the family then became Roman Catholics, which in those days, caused them to become distant with the Anglican Reynolds family 11 Lila Dickson (Lyla) 12. Jack Wilson - a red-head like his sister 13. Len Blashick 14. Marjory Palmer 15 ? Burgoyne 16 Lance Doney and 17 Bill Doney. Cleaver boys who went to Ivanhoe Grammar. Both caught TB from their mother and died young. 17. Bill Doney - The Doneys were clever boys. They went to Ivanhoe Grammar after Research Primary and this educational advantage caused them to grow apart from the local boys. Both caught tuberculosis from their mother and didn't live long. Lance died first, but Bill survived long enough to join the Merchant Navy. He eventually entered the Mont Park Sanatorium where Ernest Reynolds used to visit him every Sunday. The Doney boys were keen on Margaret and Ivy Reynolds at one stage (probably before they became seriously ill) and Bill gave Ivy a macrame belt he'd made. 18 ? Burgoyne 19 ? Messen (Frank or Alex Masson) 20 Neville West 21 ? Shaw 22 ? Shaw 23 Neil Palmer 24 George Shaw or his brother Bertie 25 George Shaw or his brother Bertie 26 Eva Kilson 27 Lorna Turner 28 ? Henry Fox (or possibly Eric?) 29 Nancy Storey (adopted) 30 Mona Fox 31. Nell Storey (also adopted) She married Sam Howard and they had 2 daughters. One went to Queensland, the other lived locally and helped at the Research Anglican Church. 32 Victor Davey 33 Margaret Reynolds 34 Ethel Davey - cousin of the Reynolds through Ernest Reynolds 35 ? Randall (Freddie) 36 ? Randall (Kitty) -Their father was a builder who made toys for every child at the school one Christmas 37 Ronnie Turner 38 ? Ivy couldn't remember his name, but thought he lived at the Research Hotel 39 John Reynolds 40 Jim Davey 41 Unknown 42 Ivy Reynolds 43. Unknown - one of the unknown boys is Jimmy Storey 44. Unknown 45. Unknown 46. Dorothy La Frenz 47. Eric Fox 48. Unknown 49. Possibly Bert Shaw One of the boys in the photograph is Jimmy Storey The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage. Black and white photograph mounted in an album, the Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection, this being one of 53 reproduced black and white images of early Eltham.The Reynolds/Prior Photograph Collection, Presented to the Eltham District Historical Society, 14 June 2006 by Ross McDonald. A second copy was also presented to the Andrew Ross Museum, Kangaroo Groundreynolds prior collection, research (vic.), research school, schools, school children, state school no. 2959, winnie la frenz, ruth thompson, bertha wilshire, ivy dickson, may norman, elsie shaw, veenie, lil la frenz (lilian), lily wilson, hazel turner, lila dickson (lyla), jack wilson, len blashick, margery palmer, burgoyne, lance doney, bill doney, frank messen, alex masson, neville west, shaw, neil palmer, george shaw, bertie shaw, eva kilson, lorna turner, henry fox, eric fox, nancy storey, mona fox, nell storey, victor davey, margaret reynolds, ethel davey, freddie randall, kitty randall, ronnie turner, john reynolds, jim davey, ivy reynolds, dorothy la frenz, bert shaw, jimmy storey -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Poster - Warrnambool Ozone Hotel Poster, Circa 1895
The Ozone Coffee Palace was built in 1890-1891. It was designed by Mr J McLeod. It was grand in design and decoration. The term Coffee Palace was used to describe temperance hotels which were built during the 1880’s -1890’s. They typically were multi-purpose and had a large number of rooms for ballrooms and leisure activities. Coffee palaces were aimed at families in coastal areas and inner city locations. Examples of some are The Windsor Hotel Melbourne, Ozone, Queenscliff and Kilbreda Convent in Mentone. The bottom part of the advertisement is a testimonial written by Brassey and Sybil De V Brassey, Lord Brassey being Governor of Victoria around 1895. Their visit to Warrnambool and their stay at the Ozone sparked a much needed interest in the Ozone. In 1896 the price to stay at the Ozone was two pounds two shillings and it remain in business for several years but in 1910 it closed after losing money for many years. It remained closed until it was bought by Mr Howard Lawson in 1920. It continued to struggle financially. It was burnt down in February 1929. When the Ozone was built in1891 it was the largest building in Warrnambool. It occupied a prominent position on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets. The grand architectural style in which it was built, was used for a number of similar buildings throughout the state. The fire which destroyed the building was one of the largest in the town.Large photograph glued to the top of the card with text in various styles underneath. Photo is sepia and card is cream. The bottom part of the piece has broken away. Jordan in bottom LH corner of photograph. “L.N. Moore 2 Landcox St Nth Brighton” written in pencil on back. warrnambool, ozone coffee palace warrnambool, mansions hotel, hotel warrnambool, ozone fire 1929 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Peter Spark, Scotland to Ballarat: The Story of Hugh Gray, Elizabeth Grey and their Descendants, 2009
Blue, soft covered book of 210 pages. The illustrated book outlines the story and descendants of Hugh and Elizabeth Gray, and includes extended sections on the Ralston, Annear and grant families.eureka, hugh gray, robert gray, william gray, janet gray, david annear, elizabeth opie, peter ralston, mary ralston, donald grant, elizabeth wilson, edward rees, laura gray, humffray testimonial, robert shafto, william trahar -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Book - THE HUB IN THE WHEEL, 2007
The Hub In The Wheel The Gills of West Bendigo. ISBN: 978095833750. Photographs. 171 pages. Inscription: Isabel 'Spark' Gill. History of the Gill family of West Bendigo.Isabel 'Spark' Gillbendigo, history, gill family, mining cornish james gill horticulture phylloxera j m gill grocer and produce merchant violet st school gill's garage corner booth st and marong road nell gwynne mine war years post war -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
DESCENDANTS OF FRANCIS CLARK & JANE RANKIN.(CLUNES)WALTER FRANCIS CLARK & JUNE MARGARET HOLT 30-10-1948, JIM & AMY CLARK, ALEX CLARK IN BACK, WITH CAROL (3 MONTH) PAULINE (5 YEARS) LINDA (3 YEARS) CLARK 1955 JAMES, LINDA (NEE CLARK) DOUGLAS, FIONA & TREVOR SPARKES 1991local history, photography, photographs, clark family -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
DESCENDANTS OF FRANCIS CLARK & JANE RANKIN.(CLUNES)LIZZIE WALDRON (nee CLARK),BERYL WALDRON, JAMES & NICOLESPARKES (neeFARBROTHER) FIONA SPARKES & BEN MAYLE WEDDING JULY 1998local history, photographs, clark family -
Nillumbik Shire Council
Painting: Brian ARMSTRONG, Brian E. Armstrong, Duet, 1978
Brian was born in Melbourne in 1949. Early life was spent in the stimulating bush environment in Montrose. Ramon Horsefield saw a spark and Brian began to paint in oils at the age of thirteen. He contunued tuition with Graham Moore, in class and at night classes. An Art Diploma at Swinburne was not completed. This did not crush his creative spirit and he resumed tuition with Graham Moore. Within a few years he was winning prizes. Many and varied jobs allowed him to survive whilst aspiring to become a full time painter and bring up his growing family. In 1977 Brian resigned from his last employment as a picture framer. He leased a shop in Main St, Mornington and set up classes. Brian taught painting and had his own studio behind the school. Later he was to move and build his "bushland gothic" home in North Warrandyte. Here he developed his reputation as a painter. Brian had his first solo exhibition in 1979. Many more were to follow. He has won many prizes, was a finalist in the 1992 Moran Portrait prize. The Alice Bale Scholarship which he won, entailed a year traveling and studying in Europe. Brian returned home in 1996. Sharing his skills with many students over the years, he taught privately and at various art societies. His oils, pastels and charcoals capture the light of landscape, portrails and nudes. In 2012 it will be thirty-five years since Brian has had a "real job". At times this has been really difficult. He is now semi retired after suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis for a decade. Now he paints what he loves to. His portraits capture the very essence of the sitter. In 2009 he remarried and moved back into the bushland of North Warrandyte. 'Duet' by Brian E. Armstrong was donated by the Artist to the Eltham Copper Butterfly Appeal Auction.Oil on canvas painting depicting a 'Duet' scene with two children. One is shown playing the flute whilst the other is playing the piano. The painting is fashioned in sombre colours and muted tones, with alternating tones of violet prominent.Signed- Brian E. Armstrong '87 On label - artist's name: Brian E. Armstrong Address: 844.2925 Title of Painting: Duet Medium: Oil on canvas On Frame: 82 enclosed in circle. 31 1/2. C Enclosed in circlebrian e. armstrong -
Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph
The photograph shows Ted Child working in a field with his horse Spark.The photograph was taken by his daughter, Ivy Child. Ivy May Child (1910 – 1989) was the daughter of Arthur Edward (Ted) Child (1878 – 1964) and Ethel May Madden (1888 – 1970). Ted Child was the son of Matthew Francis Child (1839 – 1933) and Martha Jeeves (1857 – 1926). He was the grandson of one of the early pioneers Francis Child. Ivy grew up on the family property on Childs Road and took many photographs. Most of these are glued into her photo album. The album covered the years from c1927 – 1932. Ivy married Henry William Burgess (1906 – 1968) in 1944. The photographs remain in their original state in the album with individual copies made. Black and white photograph showing a close up of a man wearing a white shirt & trousers held up by braces with a hat. He has reins and chains attached to a working horse. They are standing in a grassy field with fruit trees.On front below picture - SPARKted child, horse, child, ivy child -
Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph
The photograph shows Ted Child with his working horse Spark cutting grass at his homestead on Childs Road. The photograph was taken by his daughter Ivy Child. Ivy May Child (1910 – 1989) was the daughter of Arthur Edward (Ted) Child (1878 – 1964) and Ethel May Madden (1888 – 1970). Ted Child was the son of Matthew Francis Child (1839 – 1933) and Martha Jeeves (1857 – 1926). He was the grandson of one of the early pioneers Francis Child. Ivy grew up on the family property on Childs Road and took many photographs. Most of these are glued into her photo album. The album covered the years from c1927 – 1932. Ivy married Henry William Burgess (1906 – 1968) in 1944. The photographs remain in their original state in the album with individual copies made. Black and white photograph showing a man with a working horse cutting grass. They are working along a fenceline with a house visible alongside.Written below photograph in album - Spark againted child, child, horse, ivy child, homestead -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph, 7 Sunbury Crescent
7 Sunbury Crescent was the home of Mr and Mrs Albert Tacey, associated with the Tacey family butchers at 629 Canterbury Road from 1888 – 1950s. Lucy Myra (MS Sparkes) was the wife of Albert Arthur Tacey (1902-1959) who worked in the family butchers business from the time he left school at 14 until 1952. They bought their Sunbury Crescent home at the time of their marriage in 1923 and had 3 surviving children – Elaine Merle, Frank Newman and Donald Arthur. Courtesy: Mrs Elaine McKenzie, nee Tacey, their daughter.A black and white photograph of a weatherboard Californian Bungalow style home. A wire fence is across the front. The photo is very out of focus.(mr) albert tacey, sunbury crescent, surrey hills, butchers, 1923, californian bungalow, weatherboard, (mrs) lucy tacey, (miss) lucy sparkes, (mr) frank newman tacey, (miss) elaine merle tacey, (mr) donald arthur tacey -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Album - Ringer's River by Des Martin - Plate 17 - Drawing the Calcutta Sweep for Piney Creek Picnic Race Club
On the morning of the Piney Creek Picnic Race Club's annual meeting Squire Pilkington of Piney Creek Homestead, President of the Club, draws the Calcutta Sweep. Graeme Oliver nominates his horse for the Ladies' Bracelet in the name of Elaine Montieth and O'Day, as Manager for MacLough gives his nomination to her friend Penny Sefton whom Reg Apperton is sparking. With Keiran O'Hara for his rider, Squire Pilkington nominates in the name of his pretty niece, Susan Bundy. Harry MacLean as Squire Pilkington. Bill Tenteye as the Hon. Secretary Jim McGrath as the Hon. Treasurer.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 17des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories -
Clunes Museum
Book, CLAIRE HINTON, GROWING UP IN THE THIRTIES AND FORTIES
DESCRITION OF EVENTS VISITING CLUNES AND SOCIALISING WITH FAMILIES STEINHAUSER, WEICKHARDT, BUTZBACH, EBERHARDR, GAYLORD, SPARK, SEE CHAPTER 3,4,5,6SOFT COVER BOUND BOOK, RED COVER WITH AN IMAGEOF A CHILD ABOUT 3-4 YEARS OLD WEARING A KNITTED WHITE DRESS 40 PAGESnon-fictionDESCRITION OF EVENTS VISITING CLUNES AND SOCIALISING WITH FAMILIES STEINHAUSER, WEICKHARDT, BUTZBACH, EBERHARDR, GAYLORD, SPARK, SEE CHAPTER 3,4,5,6gaylord, steinhauser, eberhardt, railway, german migration, organs, weickhardt, anzac, spark -
Clunes Museum
Book, ISABEL "SPARK" GILL, THE HUB IN THE WHEEL: THE GILLS OF WEST BENDIGO
GILL FAMILY HISTORY OF BENDIGO VICTORIASOFT COVER BOOK. FRONT COVER BLUE GHOSTED IMAGES WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPH INSET OF J.M. GILL & SONS GENERAL PROVISION STORES BUILDING. 172 PAGES.non-fictionGILL FAMILY HISTORY OF BENDIGO VICTORIAgill family, research -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Southernwood, cnr Bolton and Brougham Street, Eltham, 30 January 2008
Walter Withers once lived at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p105 Walter Withers, one of Australia’s most famous artists, once lived in Southernwood, the weatherboard house at the corner of Bolton and Brougham Streets, Eltham. Withers, one of the first prominent artists to live in Eltham, was known for his lyrical paintings of the Australian bush and is associated with the Heidelberg School of artists.1 Withers was born in 1854 at Handsworth, Warwickshire, England, the grandson of an artist. He studied art at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. But in 1882 his father, opposing an artistic career for Withers, ordered him to go to Australia. However, after working as a jackaroo on several country properties for 18 months, Withers resumed painting in Melbourne, where he enrolled in evening art classes at the Melbourne National Gallery school of painting under G F Folingsby. Employed as a draughtsman by William Inglis & Co, then by Ferguson & Mitchell, lithographic printers, Withers produced portraits in black-and-white for several periodicals. His work was exhibited in the Old Academy, Melbourne. At this time he met and became life-long friends with artists Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Louis Abrahams.2 In 1887 Withers went to England and married Fanny Finn. They lived in Paris for awhile, where Withers studied at the Academie Julian. After his return to Melbourne in 1889, Withers lived at the artist camp at Eaglemont, then moved close to the Charterisville mansion, where he established a studio and sub-let cottages to other artists. Around 1892 Withers opened a Collins Street studio, had his first exhibition, and started giving painting classes. One of his pupils was Norman Lindsay,3 also to become a prominent artist. Withers had long been attracted to Eltham, but had to wait until 1903 to live there, after the railway line was extended to Eltham in 1902. He could then commute to the painting classes he gave in Melbourne.4 Withers lived on the two and a half acres (1.0ha) Bolton Street property with his wife and five children. They were joined for a short time by prominent painter Sir Hans Heyson who took lessons from Withers. Withers added a studio to the Queen Anne/Edwardian style seven-bedroom home, which had been built in 1891. Each bedroom included a fireplace and most rooms had 12 foot high (3.6m) ceilings. The house retains several fine leadlight windows. Withers painted his largest canvas The Return from the Harvest in 1905, at his Eltham studio. He is represented in national, state and regional galleries, and in many private collections in Australia and abroad. In 1904-05 Withers was president of the Victorian Artists’ Society. Withers at times stayed during the week at his studio in Oxford Chambers, Melbourne, and on weekends and holidays with his family at Eltham. Withers lived in Eltham until his death in 1914, aged 60 years. He had been plagued by rheumatism and in later life by heart and lung disease. It is said he died of a stroke peacefully in a rocking chair in front of the lounge-room fire. He is buried at St Helena in the St Katherine’s Anglican Church cemetery.5 In 1983, the auction of the house sparked fears that it would be pulled down, or substantially altered. Fortunately the new owners decided to retain the house. Some security was given to the house’s future when it was later included in the Heritage Overlay to the Nillumbik Planning Scheme. The property is also important because it is one of only a few left in the district, which were once owned by noted artists. These include three in Warrandyte: one formerly owned by Penleigh Boyd, another by Frank Crozier, and the other by Danila Vassilieff; and two in Eltham: Percy Leason’s in Lavender Park Road and Justus Jörgensen’s Montsalvat. A small park at the corner of Bible and Arthur Streets, Eltham is named in Walter Withers’ honour.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, bolton steet, brougham steet, eltham, southernwood, walter withers house