Armitstead's woodyard was on the site later occupied by the Chandler Room of the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. Stephen Godfrey Armitstead started the woodyard in 1921, taking over from Long's woodyard. Taken over by Stephen's son, Leo Godfrey, it closed in the 1970s. After Leo's death it was managed by Hec Whitworth. The Armitstead family lived at 79 Croydon Road. 1931 electoral roll: Catherine Isobella, Ellen Florence, Leo Godfrey (woodworker), Stephen Godfrey (wood merchant) and William Ginchrist (joiner) at this address. Leo later lived at 75 Croydon Road. Stephen Godfrey Armitstead birth - Father's Name: Stephen Armitstead; Mother's Name: Emily Benbow; Birth Place: Hotham, Victoria; Registration Year: 1879; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 23856. Spouse Name: Isabella Jane Cath Miller; Marriage Place: Victoria; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration Year: 1904; Registration number: 4534. Stephen Godfrey Armitstead death - Surrey Hills, Victoria; Age: 90; Father's Name: Stephen; Mother's Name: Emily Benbow; Registration Year: 1969; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 27747. Geoffrey Armitstead, grandson of Stephen, visited the site in 2002 whilst in Melbourne from Brisbane. He recalled that during his summer school holidays that he delivered ice to household icechests. His cousin Marcia Davis, daughter of Ellen Armitstead, accompanied him and provided the family photos for copying and related her knowledge of the family history. The weighbridge and scales were moved in 2023 from their original position when the forecourt of the Neighbourhood Centre was upgraded by Council. The carved poles were also moved; they were repositioned as a group adjacent to 151 Union Road.Colour photo of Geoffrey Armitstead standing next to the scales in the Armitstead Courtyard of Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. In the foreground is the weighbridge that was also part of the woodyard operated by his grandfather, Stephen Armitstead. In the background is part of the Chandler Room of the Centre and two of the carved poles which illustrate elements of the history of Surrey Hills.union road, armitsteads woodyard, surrey hills neighbourhood centre, businesses, timber merchants, timber yards, stephen armitstead, geoffrey armitstead, weighbridge, long's woodyard, leo armitstead, hec whitworth

Date is approximate. Donor's connection with Armitstead's Woodyard was that Frank Foley was a long term employee. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and on 24 May 1906 a group of Surrey Hills residents pledged to make Empire Day a success. From 1932-1938 large Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills and business and commercial vehicles were decorated to take part in large processions held in May each year. These attracted large crowds from all over Melbourne. The truck is parked outside Nethercourt Hospital at 15 Barton Street. The Armitstead family had a business in Union Road which supplied wood in winter and ice in summer. Photos such as this one are evidence of the importance once attached to celebrating Empire Day, which was held on 24 May (Queen Victoria’s birthday). From 1905, a range of patriotic activities across Australia were performed on this day. There was a focus on schoolchildren, who were given a half-holiday, and the occasion was often highlighted with bonfires and fireworks in the evening - in this area at Beckett Park. The parade down Union Road was famous throughout Melbourne and attracted large crowds. Floats in the parade were often decked with British flags. The pro-Empire sentiment in the Surrey Hills area in part reflected the background and strong ties of many families.Black and white photo of a delivery truck with bunting and ferns over the cabin and back. The wheels have straws around the rims and more foliage is on the cabin roof and bonnet. The back of the tray is up and boxes, foliage and possibly a lion's head decorate the tray. Behind is a 2 storey (?) rendered building with an external timber staircase broken in 2 by a landing. The house sits behind a simple picket fence.On the cabin door of the truck: "S ARMITS ....[remainder in shadow] / Surrey Hills / phone 10X1816 / [undecipherable]" On back of the original in pencil in top centre left "446a" in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting; centre on a piece of paper stuck on with tape "Mrs D Foley / 39 Sunbury Cres., / Surrey Hills / Phone 8301163".empire day, festival and celebrations, woodyard, parades, processions, hospitals, nethercourt hospital, stephen godfrey armitstead, frank foley, mrs d foley, barton street