Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Morrison Kleeman Real Estate sales information material1 document, 2 pages A4 gayle blackwood collection, houses, morrison kleeman real estate, mudbrick, stanhope street, eltham, the white house

Photocopy, A4, 32 pagesadobe house, anna merle davidson, clay nuneham, diamond street, eltham, fay street, florrie's cottage, george victor davidson, graeme butler & associates, handfield street, hazel's cottage, heritage assessment, houses, john harcourt, langi dorn, mcmahon ball residence, mudstone acre, muriel elizabeth handfield, peter street, pise house, rocknall, shire of nillumbik, stanhope house, stanhope street, york street

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

Stanhope Estate, Eltham; great suburban subdivisional auction, New Year's Day - Tuesday 1st January 1924 Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 3 stripsKodak CL 200 5093butcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house

1. News clipping: Author recalls Eltham's early days; story by Linley Hartley, photo by Ron Grant; Diamond Valley News, Thursday, May 24, 1983, p26 (On reverse side, p25, "A pot for every purpose" about potter Joan Armfield with references to artis Davd Armfield) 2. Three pages typed copy of John Handfield's original letter to Blanche Shallard (of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society), 16 May 1989 detailing the Handfield family's life in Eltham and various personalities between their arrival in 1919 and departure in 1928. With a postscript that John Handfield returned in 1961 to a house designed by friend Robin Boyd and built 1961. At the time of the letter John and Esta Handfield had been the only owners. 3. Note from John Handfield to Ron Smith about a proposed talk (to the Historical Society?) to tell the story about the writing of Friends and Brothers. Proposed title of talk "You Never Know What's Around The Corner" plus several copies of book reviews • Photocopy of news clipping; The rector who created a vision; Review by Bishop Holland; Newcastle Morning Herald, c.1980 - Book review of FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, The Life of Father Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Aid Abroad, by John Handfield, Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd • Photocopy of news clipping; The clergyman whose monuments continue to do good; Review by Geoffrey Hutton; Publication unknown, c.1980 - Book review of FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, The Life of Father Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Aid Abroad, by John Handfield, Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd • Photocopy of news clipping; Helper of the defeated; Review by Sandy Murray; Publication unknown, c.1980 - Book review of FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, The Life of Father Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Aid Abroad, by John Handfield, Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd • Photocopy of news clipping; Friends and Brothers by John Handfield; Review by Bishop James Grant; Publication unknown, c.1980 - Book review of FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, The Life of Father Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Aid Abroad, by John Handfield, Hyland House Publishing Pty Ltd • Photocopy of news clipping; Off and running on his third career by Stuart Sayers; Writers & Readers, The Age, Saturday 17 January 1981 • Photocopy of news clipping; Determined to succeed; Review by Roy Cassin; The West Australian, n.d. - Book review of FRIENDS AND BROTHERS, The Life of Father Tucker, Founder of the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Aid Abroad, by John Handfield, Hyland House Publishing Pty LtdFolder of information on John Handfield, author, Elthamjohn handfield, joan armfield, david armfield, handfield family, eltham, 16 homestead road, handfield house, anne hunniford, dave lyon, esta handfield, mechanics insitute, mr bond, rechabite hall, robin boyd, rutter family, bishop reginald stephen, clem christesen, desmond annear, dr kent hughes, ethel boake, handfield street, john harcourt, kooringoorama, lady longstaff, nina christesen, peter street, shillinglaw farm, sir john longstaff, stanhope, yarra braes, a. copeland, alf baker, baker's cottage, ballakian, belackian, beulah alice rutter, bill withers, bird brothers cash grocer and fruiterer, blacksmith, burgoyne grocery store, butcher, david rutter, donald rutter, e. copeland, edward gadd, ernest james andrew, fanny withers (nee flinn), hubert rutter, jack baker, jack ryan, june rutter, margery withers, newsagency, oakley, ronnie baker, silver street bridge, tessie baker, walter withers, burke and wills, father g k tucker, frederick oliver handfield, friends and brothers (book), muriel elizabeth handfield (nee cochran), ss victoria, st laurence and community aid abroad, stanhope house, theodore louis hopton handfield, book review

Subdivision of Stanhope property into 80 blocks; auction sale 1 Jan 1924 80 magnificent blocks Coghill and Haughton Auctioneer H.H. Clark Real Esate Agent Elthambutcher, coghill and haughton, eltham, eltham railway station, railway station, real estate agent, stanhope estate, stanhope house, horace harold clark, russell yeoman collection

The Steering Committee Residences developed this PERT (Programme Evaluation Review Technique) as noted in a memo dated 28.5.74 written by Chairman Legatee Quayle (Cat. No. 01689). The chart shows the sequence of developments for rationalising Blamey House, Stanhope, and Harelands, and potentially allowing for the long term transitioning of Blamey House into accommodation for elderly widows; this was never carried out. Gives an insight into Legacy thinking about the way in which the residences should be used.White foolscap photocopy, black type on white. Two holes punched for filing. In ink bottom right hand side 'HR 3/4/74' This would have been Legatee Rodgers.residences, blamey house, stanhope, harelands

Draft Minutes of a meeting held on 30/01/1974. The Steering Committee (Legatees Quale, Chair, Berg, Rodgers and Trebilcock) had been formed to look into the issue of what to do with Blamey House, Stanhope and Harelands in light of the issues raised in a report by the Residences Review Sub-Committee (Cat.No.01674) in 1972. The Steering Committee favoured the demolition of Blamey House to build units to accommodate senior students and ultimately widows, and the eventual sale of Harelands with a transfer of residents to Stanhope. Further investigations were to be made and the next meeting was set for 14 February 1974.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.3 foolscap sheets, black type on white carbon copy. Two holes punched for filing. 'L/H.C.G.Rodgers' in blue biro on the back.residences, review, blamey house, stanhope, harelands

Notes containing thoughts about what to do with the residences from L/ Hugh Rodgers and addressed to L/ Allan Quayle. Handwritten notes dated 2/4/74, signed 'Hugh' (Legatee Rodgers) and addressed to 'Allan' (Legatee Quayle, Chair of the Steering Committee - Residences). He refers to the draft report (Cat.No. 01673) and makes suggestions for rewording the draft. Reference is made to an 'attached block diagram' which he offers to produce for appending to the report. The final report can be found at Cat. No. 01674. Part of a folder of documents relating to the residences.Gives an insight into the work involved in administering the residences, and shows the high degree of cooperation between Legatees to achieve the best result for their wards.Handwritten sheets x 2 pages, black on faded white. Three holes punched for filing. residences, stanhope, blamey house

Memo dated 28.5.74 written by Chairman Legatee Quayle after the Steering Committee had submitted their report on the future of the residences to the Board (Cat.No. 01684) recommending that an in depth study should be carried out. The Steering Committee was appointed to carry out the study and Legatee Quayle confirms the terms of reference and the matters to be discussed at the first meeting on 26 June 1974. Gives an insight into Legacy thinking about the way in which the residences should be used.1 foolscap photocopy, black on white. Two holes punched for filing. In pencil: #(b) underlined and annotated 'say $1250' #(c) underlined and annotated 'Mid Sept Board Mtg' 'H.Berg' #(d) underlined and annotated 'H Berg go back to council' H.Rodgers ticked in red in distribution list.residences, blamey house, stanhope, harelands

Pages 2 and 3 extracted from minutes of an unnamed committee meeting held on 5.11.73, probably the Residences Committee. The items discussed seem to be mostly about Blamey House and the need to renovate various areas at a possible cost of $20,000-$25,000. The minutes emphasise the need to bring forward a complete Works Programme for Blamey House to bring it up to the standard of Harelands and Stanhope.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.Foolscap sheets x 2, black type on white. Two holes punched for filing. 01675.3 Pencilled notes: 'HR & JC to talk about forecast', occupancy rates for Blamey House, Stanhope and Har elands in '74.residences, blamey house

A photo of President Handbury on the steps of Stanhope House to celebrate the 50th Anniversary in 1973. He is speaking to a gathering and is standing with a group of Junior Legatees, presumably those that live in the residences (Stanhope, Holmbush and Blamey House). Photo came from a folder marked Residences. For other items commemorating the 50th Anniversary see 00451 to 00455, 00460 to 00464, 00391, 01418, 01419, 01420. Blamey House (purchased 1947) , Stanhope (purchased 1945) and Harelands (purchased 1950) were residences run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself. Harelands accomodated boys and girls under the age of 14, Blamey House looked after boys over 14, and Stanhope looked after girls over 14. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent.A record of an event at Stanhope to mark the 50th anniversary of Legacy during the Golden Jubilee year 1973.Black and white photo of President Handbury with Junior Legatees at Stanhope residence in 1973.golden jubilee, legatee event, residences

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 1974 to discuss the in-depth study authorised by the Board of Management. Items considered included the development of plans, forward planning, and funding of the project to look at options for Blamey House, Stanhope and Harelands. See also Cat Nos. 01689 and 01690. Further investigations were called for. Gives an insight into Legacy thinking about the way in which the residences should be used.White foolscap photocopy, with black type. Two holes punched for filing. Double sided.Page 2: 'L/tee H.C.G. Rodgers' hand written in blue biro.residences, review, blamey house, harelands, stanhope

A paper which was delivered to the Legacy in Victoria Conference in 1980, detailing Melbourne Legacy's involvement in housing the children of Legacy widows since 1942. By 1950 Melbourne Legacy administered four houses - Holmbush, Stanhope, Blamey House and Harelands - and cared for approximately 100 children. The houses were designed to be as homely as possible, and each one was largely autonomous. Children, many of whom came from country Victoria, would go to their own homes during school holidays and the Christmas season. The stated objectives were to 'pass out into the world young men and women with high ideals of citizenship, who are self-reliant and self-supporting.' Also 'to provide affection, security and a future goal and essential discipline.' The country Clubs and Groups would send provisions such as preserved fruit, cheese, eggs, honey, citrus fruit, butter, and potatoes throughout the year to support the residences. Numbers of residents declined during the 70s, and in 1975 a Residences Committee recommended that Blamey House and Harelands should be closed, leaving only Stanhope in operation, the first Blamey House having closed in 1955 with Holmbush being renamed the second Blamey House. By 1980 the only remaining house was Stanhope with an average occupancy of 20. See Cat. No. 00785 for a first hand account of being a resident at Stanhope.Melbourne Legacy established residences to aid children of deceased servicemen complete their education, take further education and find employment. The document reveals details of the residences through the years. It shows the effort the Legatees invested in looking after Junior Legatees and how seriously they took this responsibility.White foolscap paper x 3 pages, with black type.Some pencilled ticks and bracketing, W.T. Lewis handwritten in blue biro on last page.residences, conference

By 1970 questions were being asked about the future viability of the three Melbourne Legacy residences - Harelands, Stanhope and Blamey House - and a committee was established to look into the issue. Chaired by A.V. Dore, the Forecasting Committee recommended that the Residences Committee be fully involved with the decision making, and a further sub-committee be established to pursue the matters raised in the report. The report was marked 'Confidential' and gave statistics for both costs and occupation rates whilst being careful to avoid being either for or against the proposal to close residences.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.2 x typed fooolscap sheets, double sided, black on white, punched for filing.residences, review, blamey house, harelands, stanhope

1973 comprehensive statistical survey of likely numbers of Legatees, widows and children projected for 15 years, by W.K. Roberts, an Actuary at AMP, Melbourne. This was commissioned in order to consider the future of Legacy at a meeting in Hobart on March 24, 1973. The paper is identified as Appendix E, but the document it is appended to is missing. For the first time figures included the post 1945 conflicts, making the decline in child numbers more gradual, increasing the widow numbers more steeply, and predicting that Legatee numbers would be maintained until 1983 with the caveat that their capacity would change as they aged. Pinned to the printed survey is an anonymous handwritten note giving the number of children in residence at Harelands, Stanhope and Blamey House in 1972-4.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children, indicating their awareness of the need to plan for the future.01666.1 White printed double sided sheets, black on white. 01666.2 Yellow copy paper with handwritten text in blue ink. residences, review, blamey house, harelands, stanhope

An unattributed report dated 18/04/1972 to be read in conjunction with Cat. No. 01670. The report gives details of the situation at that date and projected changes to the functions of the residences, occupancy rates, costs and likely trends in accommodation needs. It explores at length auxiliary and alternate accommodation such as the Salvation Army, YMCA, YWCA and church hostels, before offering future options: (i) to carry on using Harelands, Stanhope and Blamey House without change, (ii) move working girls and boys to YWCA/church hostel or YMCA/church hostel, converting Stanhope to a co-ed residence for over 14s attending school, maintaining Harelands as a co-ed residence for under 14s, and releasing Blamey House. These changes to take place when the number of residents over the age of 14 falls below 34 in two consecutive years.Part of the history of Melbourne Legacy's involvement with residential care for children.White foolscap paper x 6 pages, with black type. Two holes punched for filing, and 2 add-ins. Page 1: Handwritten in pencil: 'Discussed with J. Chancellor 18/4/72', 'DRAFT 18/4/72 see later Draft 19/4', under Occupancy '74' is circled and '72' written next to it. Handwritten in blue biro: '(This report has been updated under the heading of Occupancy to include 1971 figures)', '(a) Junior Legatees' added under 3. Page 2: Handwritten in blue biro: '(b) Costs of Maintaining Residences added under #3, 'ER' added in pencil to 'high' near bottom of page. Page 3: Handwritten in pencil: 'should' changed to 'could' on line 4, lines 5-8 annotated 're other organisations', 'gratified' changed to 'qualified' in blue biro half way down the page. Page 4: figures for apprentices and total pencilled into table and two pencilled lines have been added to para 4. Page 5: 'There being approximately 15 under 18 years' in blue biro inserted in Line 13. Page 6: 'Insert 7' pencilled in front of '7.', which is changed to '8'. Page 7: '8' changed to 9 in pencil, 'problem cases' written at the end, and '(over the age of 14)' inserted in blue biro on the penultimate line. 01672(8): in blue ink: 'members' changed to 'numbers', and 'fill' changed to 'fell'.residences, review, blamey house, harelands, stanhope

Clem Christesen wrote a brief history of "Stanhope" which was reproduced in EDHS Newsletter No. 162 May 2005. STANHOPE HOUSE is situated on the crest of Stanhope Hill about ten minutes' walk westward from the Eltham railway station and is bounded by Peter, Fay and Stanhope Streets. The original property, comprising 15 ½ acres with a frontage on Diamond Creek, was bought in about 1900 by Will Longstaff (b. 1878, d London 1953), official war artist during World War I, who became famous for his painting 'The Ghosts of Menin Gate', France which is now in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The main residence, designed by Desbrowe Annear, was built of jarrah, with stucco walls and floors of Tasmanian hardwood The rooms were panelled with Californian redwood (sequoia). Away from house was a cottage (used as a studio), and stables, dairy and meat house. In 1919 Mr Theo. Handfield bought the property from Mrs Longstaff. On New Year 's Day 1924 most of the estate (eighty blocks) was auctioned. Bishop Reginald Stephen, Warden of Trinity College and distinguished scholar, bought the house and five acres in 1928. Dr and Mrs C.B. Christesen became the new owners in 1946 and subsequently extended the house on the north and south sides. 'Stanhope 'has had many very interesting art and literary associations. When Will Longstaff occupied it - he was a cousin of another well-known painter, Sir John Longstaff- various leading artists of the period, including Walter Withers who lived nearby, were frequent visitors. A son of Mr and Mrs Handfield, John, became a journalist and author, and now lives with his wife Esta at Homestead Road, Eltham. Bishop Stephen was related to Sir Leslie Stephen (1832-1904), one of the great representative minds of Victorian Britain, first editor of the monumental Dictionary of National Biography and father of the famous novelist and essayist Virginia Woolf. John Harcourt, novelist and music critic, rented 'Stanhope 'while he and his wife Fay were building 'Clay Nuneham' (mudbrick) at the foot of Stanhope Hill near the creek. Nina Christesen, academic and founding editor of Melbourne Slavonic Studies, was Head of the Department of Russian Language and Literature, University of Melbourne, from 1946 to 1977. Clem Christesen, poet, short story writer and painter, founded Australia's leading literary journal Meanjin Quarterly in 1940 and remained editor until 1975. Very many distinguished Australian and foreign writers, artists and academics-from Nobel prize-winning novelist Patrick White to the world's leading cellist Mstislav Rostropovich - have visited 'Stanhope ' over the years. The extensive garden is said to be one of the loveliest in Eltham. The main entrance is by way of Diamond and Peter Streets. film - kodak gc 400-6, russell yeoman collection, scan - 35mm negative, bishop stephen, clem christesen, eltham, nina mikhailovna christesen, peter street, stanhope, theo handfield, will longstaff

A report by the Future Requirements Committee dated 11 October 1978. The Committee members were(Chairman): I.W. Anderson, E. Cohen, A.N. Kemsley, L.D. King, J.M. Poulton, R.L. Simmons The Committee notes that its recommendations would probably be resisted by some Legatees but were necessary to meet the changing needs of dependants. They highlighted cancelling the supply of firewood, cessation in 1978 of the Badge Day appeal in Melbourne and the special Christmas promotion, and the Christmas Garden Party at Government House. Boys and Girls classes to be phased out, and Blamey House and Stanhope residences to be closed in 1979-80, with dental care to cease in 1980. They also recommended that more use should be made of labour available from ALL Legatees, and Legacy staff should be strictly monitored as the changes were brought into effect.After two World Wars, Melbourne Legacy recognised that the need for their traditional services was changing and they needed to be vigilant about the transparency of their expenditure.5 photocopied foolscap pages - poor qualityPage 1: 'Copy President from ER' in red ballpoint, 'H53' in blue ball point, 'B' in black.review committee, planning

Photo of an excursion to what is believed to be Blamey House in Beaumaris possibly in the 1940s or 1950s. The Beaumaris property had a swimming pool which looked very similar. It could be when junior legatees from the country came and stayed at Stanhope, Harelands and Blamey House for a summer holiday, while city children were escorted out to regional areas for a country holiday. Aerial view is a poor photocopy added for reference. From a photo album which contains photos of Holmbush and some of the excursions and events that happened there, appears to have been put together in the 1940s. Including trips to the zoo and picnics. Holmbush was one of the Legacy residences that housed junior legatees from 1942. When Blamey House in Beaumaris was sold in 1956 the name was transferred to Holmbush at 1267 Burke Road from 1957 until it was sold in 1977.A compilation of photos of the junior legatees in the Legacy residences.Black and white photo children of Holmbush at a swimming pool pasted to the page of an album.residences, holmbush, pool, blamey house

A photo of Santa and Melbourne Legacy President Bill Braidie with children and gifts in one the residences (either Stanhope, Harelands or Blamey House - Kew) in 1974. Photo came from a folder marked Residences. Melbourne Legacy ran residences to take care of children whose deceased father had been a serviceman and the mother was unable to care for them herself or the child needed to be in city for education reasons. The first was Holmbush which started in 1942. Then Stanhope in 1945, these were for older children for education or vocational opportunities. There was a need for a toddler/younger child home so Blamey House was established in Beaumaris in 1947 for 3 to 9 year olds. Harelands was acquired in 1950. Then the property in Beaumaris was sold and the name Blamey House was transferred to Holmbush, at 1267 Burke Road Kew from 1956 to 1978. For much of the time from late 1950s to 1970s Harelands accommodated boys and girls under the age of 14, Blamey House looked after boys over 14, and Stanhope looked after girls over 14. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent. Stanhope was closed in the late 1970s and when Blamey House (formerly Holmbush) was closed the name was again transferred, this time to Harelands from 1978 to 1981 when it was the last residence to be sold.A record of gifts for the children at the residences in 1974.Black and white photo of Junior Legatees with Santa and gifts at a residence in 1974.Handwritten 'P7 Legacy' in blue pen and '1974' in black penchristmas gifts, residences, bill braidie

Rear entranceColour photographeltham, peter street, stanhope, houses

Rear entranceColour photographeltham, peter street, stanhope, houses

Before the house fireColour photographeltham, peter street, stanhope, houses

Escape for BishopColour photographeltham, peter street, stanhope, houses

On the crest of Stanhope Hill at Peter Street, Eltham, stands the former home of a couple, Clem and Nina Christensen who had a major influence on the literary development of post World War 2 Australia. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p109 On the crest of Stanhope Hill at Peter Street, Eltham, stands the former home of a couple, who had a major influence on the literary development of post World War Two Australia. In 1946, Clem and Nina Christensen bought the house, which had been designed by Harold Desbrowe Annear, considered to be one of Australia’s most innovative architects in the first quarter of the 20th century.1 That year the stucco building with a metal roof, built in 1910, was extended to the north and south. The main residence was built of jarrah, with stucco walls, floors of Tasmanian hardwood and rooms panelled with Californian redwood (sequoia). The property included a cottage, former stables, a dairy and meat-house. From its beginnings the property has attracted artists and intellectuals. Official World War One artist, Will Longstaff, bought the property – then 15½ acres (6ha) around 1900. Famous for his painting The Ghosts of Menin Gate, now in the Australian War Memorial Canberra, Longstaff was the cousin of another well-known painter, Sir John Longstaff. Several leading artists visited Longstaff at Stanhope including Walter Withers of the Heidelberg School, who lived in Brougham Street, Eltham. In 1919, Theo Handfield, father of author and journalist John Handfield, bought the property from Mrs Longstaff. Then in 1924 the land was subdivided and most of the estate (80 blocks) was auctioned. The next owner was related to novelist Virginia Woolf. Bishop Reginald Stephen, Warden of Trinity College, bought the house and five acres (2 ha) in 1928. He was related to Sir Leslie Stephen, the first editor of the Dictionary of National Biography and Woolf’s father. Novelist and music critic John Harcourt, was the next tenant, while he and his wife Fay, built their mud-brick house Clay Nuneham, at the foot of Stanhope Hill. Dr Clem and Mrs Nina Christensen, lived in the house until their deaths. Clem Christensen – who died aged 91 in 2003 – was a poet, short story writer and painter. However, he is most noted for founding Australia’s foremost literary journal2 Meanjin (originally Meanjin Papers), which he described as ‘democratic left of centre’, in Brisbane in 1940. Clem brought Meanjin to Melbourne in 1945 and remained editor until 1975. Enormously influential, Meanjin spawned and encouraged many of Australia’s best literary talents and it had an international reputation. Meanjin was the first to publish such writers as Judith Wright and David Malouf and it encouraged writers like Patrick White and Peter Carey. Nina Christensen – who died aged 89 in 2001 – was founding Editor of the Melbourne Slavonic Studies Journal and pioneered the study of Russian in Australia. In 1946 she established the Department of Russian Language and Literature at The University of Melbourne, which she led until 1977. Nina’s graduates largely staffed subsequent departments, in other Australian universities.3 However Nina’s Russian heritage and Clem’s outspoken views caused problems. They were forced to defend themselves in the Petrov inspired Royal Commission on Espionage in the 1950s, but were exonerated. The Christensens attracted and hosted many distinguished Australian and foreign writers, artists and academics, including Nobel prize-winning novelist, Patrick White and the world’s then leading cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich.4 Other writers and intellectuals who visited Stanhope were: Vance Palmer, Alan Marshall, A D Hope, Xavier Herbert, Nevil Shute, Geoffrey Dutton, Martin Boyd, Judah Waten, Bruce Grant, Dorothy Hewett and Sir Herbert Read. Painters included: Danila Vassilieff, Arthur Boyd, Albert Tucker, Justus Jörgensen, Robert Hughes and Clifton Pugh. Academics included: Manning Clark, Geoffrey Blainey, W Macmahon Ball, Richard Downing, Geoffrey Serle and scientist Tim Marshall. Politicians included: Jim Cairns, Pauline Toner, Lance Barnard, Sir Paul Hasluck, Sheryl Garbutt and performance artists included: film star Olivia Newton-John, members of the Bolshoi ballet and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.5 Nina Christensen was honoured in 2006 at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre with the building of an amphitheatre designed by V Sverdlin.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, clem christesen, eltham, nina christesen, peter street, stanhope