Used for the Society's Banner project. [note written by Joy Ness, "View Hill", Kangaroo Ground, 11 June 1986:] In 1878 while on a trip to Scotland and England, John Donaldson visited Windsor Castle Park, where he collected some acorns which he brought back to Australia, to his property, "Kangaroo Hall" at Kangaroo Ground. He and his son John Anstruther Davidson Donaldson, who was then 10 years old, planted one near the present Donaldson's Lane, in 1878. This is now a very fine tree, 108 years old. This information comes from Miss Victoria Donaldson, daughter of John Anstruther Davidson Donaldson. Miss Donaldson suggests that Wippell's Oak at Kangaroo Ground may also have been grown from one of the same Windsor Park acorns.Colour photographactivities, banner project, donaldsons oak, john anstruther davidson donaldson, kangaroo ground, significant trees, william donaldson

Quercus Robur (English Oak) - Was planted by John Donaldson from seed collected from Windsor Great Park in 1878. Used for the Society's Banner project Joy Ness "View Hill" Kangaroo Ground June 11th 1986 In 1878 while on a trip to Scotland and England, John Donaldson visited Windsor Castle Park, where he collected some acorns which he brought back to Australia, to his property, "Kangaroo Hall" at Kangaroo Ground. He and his son John Anstruther Davidson Donaldson, who was then 10 years old, planted one near the present Donaldsons Lane, in 1878. This is now a very fine tree, 108 years old. This information comes from Miss Victoria Donaldson, daughter of John Anstruther Davidson Donaldson. Miss Donaldson suggests that "Wippell's Oak" at Kangaroo Ground may also have been grown from one of the same Windsor Park acorns.Colour Polaroid photographtrees, donaldsons oak, donaldson, donaldson road, kangaroo ground

St. Matthew's Church has historic significance as the town's church and physical and social focus for the community. The standard design buildings are good examples and important streetscape elements. The war memorial cross is the area's monument to the 20th century wars and its modest scale in comparison with the granite Eltham and towered Kangaroo Ground memorials illustrates the lack of affluence in the town and surrounding area. The grouping of church, school, store and post office is typical of country villages throughout Victoria. The Radiata Pine plantings are significant as an intact line of shelterbelt planting typical of the early 20th century. (Bick Study 1992) Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p63 Panton Hill’s first church services were held in a simple building made of paling timber, opposite the Hotel de France. The building was also used for Sunday School, a school and a hall.1 The St Matthew’s Church and hall at the corner of Church Road and Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, were built in the early 20th century in the standard rectangular style of the times. The intact belt of Radiata Pines was common at that time. The war memorial concrete cross is the area’s monument for the 20th century wars. It is much more modest than those in Eltham, and particularly in Kangaroo Ground, demonstrating those townships’ comparative affluence.2 Early settler J Hughes, who donated the land to the Church of England, was the first to be married at St Matthews when he married Rachel Coutie. In later life he became a minister of religion.3 One much-liked preacher was George Hollow, who with his sister playing the harmonium, conducted church services at Panton Hill, St Andrews and Christmas Hills, for many years.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, panton hill, st matthew's church, panton hill war memorial