Grace Mitchell (nee Whieldon) was born in Yarram Gippsland, second of nine children. After her father died, the family moved to Creswick. She left home at age 12 to earn a wage to help the family, including as a matron at the School of Mines in Creswick and, after moving to Melbourne, as dietitian at Royal Melbourne Hospital. After marrying Arthur Mitchell, they moved to Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham, in 1948. Because Arthur had an accident and was not able to work, she did various jobs before starting a cake shop in their house; she also cooked at Montsalvat,. She was also a tailor and dressmaker, studied psychology and journalism, her crochet.patterns were published in 'New Idea' as a girl when she also started carving wood.She knew many artists, writers, etc.As a widow, in her late 60s, she enrolled in a diploma of arts course, majoring in sculpture and print-making. Contents Newspaper article: "Amazing Grace!", Diamond Valley News, 7 July 1981. Newspaper article: "A way with wood", The Age, ?1999. Diamond Valley News, 30 April 1985. Describes life of Grace Mitchell, just turned 80, who began carving wood as a girl. Newspaper article: "Paging women to celebrate", Heidelberg and Diamond Valley Weekly, 12 February 2008. To promote nominations for 'Celebrating Nillumbik Women', designed to honour women, Grace and Jenni Mitchell are featured. Newspaper article: "Celebrate history and her story", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 February 2008. To promote nominations for 'Celebrating Nillumbik Women', designed to honour women, Grace and Jenni Mitchell are featured. Newspaper article: "Eltham artist's will to live", Diamond Valley Leader, 27 October 2010. Grace Mitchell recovering in Austin Hospital. Order of Service: A celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Grace Mitchell, Montsalvat Eltham, 19 April 2011. Newspaper article: "Death of an Eltham icon", Diamond Valley Leader, ?20 April 2011. Obituary of Grace Mitchell with tributes from Ona Henderson, Sigmund Jogensen, Jenni Mitchell. Newspaper article: "Amazing Grace remembered", Diamond Valley Leader, 27 April 2011. Report of Service for Grace Mitchell at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Thanks Eltham for your kind messages", Diamond Valley Leader 18 May 2011. Letter from Jenni Mitchell, thanks for messages. Newspaper article: "Eltham all-rounder a remarkable gem", The Age, 13 May 2011. Obituary for Grace Mitchell. Newspaper article:"Search for home for ark art", Diamond Valley Leader, 11 November 2011. Grace Mitchell's work 'The Ark" 1983, is on display at local MP's office, seeking a home in a public collection. Newsletter article: "Jenni Mitchell - 'May mother Grace'", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter No.207, November 2012. Notice that Jenni Mitchell will talk about her mother's work at the November meeting. Flier: Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 7 October-18 November 2012"Grace Mitchell 1916-2011: The Artist's Work: A Selected Retrospective". Handout: Sheet to accompany Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 7 October-18 November 2012"Grace Mitchell 1916-2011: The Artist's Work: A Selected Retrospective". Biography of Grace Mitchell.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcgrace mitchell, jenni mitchell, alan marshall, clifton pugh, robert helpmann, katherine hepburn, phillip institute of technology, celebrating nillumbik women, austin hospital, mount pleasant road eltham, montsalvat eltham, sigmund jorgensen, ona henderson, helen coleman, gail pritchard, school of mines creswick, mitchell's homemade cakes and pies, susan toole, eltham cemetery, arthur mitchell, mervyn hannan, vicki ward

Jenni Mitchell, daughter of Grace and Arthur Mitchell, is a painter. Contents Newspaper article: "Back to the drawing board", Diamond Valley News, 19 May 1981. Jenni Mitchell's early life. Newspaper article: "Jenni captures the cast and rugged desert", Diamond Valley News, 13 March 1984. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition of Wimmera paintings, 16-25 March 1984. Exhibition list: Jenni Mitchell studio exhibition, ?1984 ?1986. Newspaper article: "Jenni mingles with greats of art world", Diamond Valle News, 29 July 1986. Jenni Mitchell exhibitor in Melbourne Spoleto Festival exhibition, Ross House Gallery, Kew. Newspaper article: "Poet, painter a formidable duo", Diamond Valley News, 28 October 1986. A poem from Cornelis Vieeskens's book and story of connection to Grace Mitchell's art works. Newspaper article: "Eltham artist to stage her 20th solo exhibition", Diamond Valley News, 31 May 1995. Jenni Mitchell's "Survey Exhibition 1975-1995", at Dempsters Fine Art Gallery, Canterbury, opened by poet Judith Rodriguez on 2 June 1995 . Election flier: Jenni Mitchell, candidate for Eltham Council, 1989. Newspaper article: "Aiming to keep history alive", Diamond Valley News, 22 August 1989. Newly elected Eltham Councillor Jenni Mitchell's objectives. Newspaper article: "Poetry in paint", Diamond Valley News, 23 November 1992. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition of Australian contemporary writers at the National Poetry Festival at Montsalvat, December 1992. Newspaper article: "Eltham artist to stage her 20th solo exhibition", Diamond Valley News, 31 May 1995. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition, "Survey Exhibition 1995-1985" at Dempsters Fine Art Gallery, Canterbury, opened 2 June 1995. Newspaper article :Keen to get focus on art again", Diamond Valley News, 6 November 1996. Jenni Mitchell exhibiting in Nillumbik Festival's Artists Open Studios program 1996. Newspaper article: "Rocky mountain high", ?1997. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition of Flinders Ranges work in Mains Restaurant, Eltham ?1997. Newspaper article: "Inspired works", ?1999. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition of works from artist-in-residence at Bundanon and Riversdale, Adam Galleries, Melbourne until 8 September ?1999. Newspaper article: "Gone bush, in search of the still place", The Age, 2 May 2000. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition Portraits of Extraordinary People, Queens Hall, Parliament House until 12 May 2000. Booklet: "Sharing a History, an essay by JHenni Mitchell", produced in association with exhibition Captured at the Eltham Library Community Gallery, 22 February to 3 March 2002 Flier: "Artists Open Studio 2001-2002. Exhibition of artists participating in the Nillumbik Artists Open Studio Program at Eltham Wiregrass Gallery, 21 February to 7 March 2002. Newspaper article: "Not just white in sight", Diamond Valley Leader 3 September 2003. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition "To the Ice, Images from the Antarctic at Montsalvat until 7 October 2003. Newspaper article: "Works are poetry on canvas", Diamond Valley News, 2003. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition 'Desert, Ice and Poetry, at Montsalvat until 12 December 2003. Newspaper article: "In love with a world of ice", Herald Sun, 25 October 2003. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition 'Desert, Ice and Poetry, at Montsalvat until 12 December 2003. Newspaper article: "Display honours artist, wife", Diamond Valley Leader 28 July 2004. Jenni Mitchell had been student of Alan Martin, retrospective exhibition of Martin's work at Eltham Community Centre 31 July to 1 August 2004. Newspaper article: "Portrait due get to the heart of the matter", Diamond Valley Leader, 13 April 2005. Jenni Mitchell painted double portrait of Colin Royse and Allstair Royse for Archibald Prize. Newspaper article: "Brothers impress artist", Diamond Valley Voice 13 April 2005. Jenni Mitchell painted double portrait of Colin Royse and Allstair Royse for Archibald Prize. Newspaper article: "Poles apart but online", Diamond Valley Leader 2005. Jenni Mitchell's journey to the North Pole will have a website set up by Hugh Stubley and Stephen Pearce, Tribity Digital Solutions. Newspaper article: "Going to extremes for ideas", Diamond Valley Leader, 1 June 2005. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition "Images of the Antarctic" at Dickerson Gallery 7 June to 3 July 2005. Newspaper article: "Works are poetry on canvas", Diamond Valley News, ~2005. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition "Desert, Ice and Poetry" at Montsalvat until 12 December 2005. Newspaper article: "Places for painting", Diamond Valley Leader, 2 November 2005. Jenni Mitchell organising plein air painting workshops around Eltham for students. Newspaper article: "Spirit of past inspires artist", Diamond Valley Leader, 1 November 2006. Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan have opened a studio at Montsalvat, appealing for more volunteers. Newspaper article: "Art in Action", Heidelberg and Valley Weekly, 31 October 2006. Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan's Working Studio Gallery at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Honey lures art taste to sport", Diamond Valley Leader 11 July 2007. Jenni Mitchell's portrait of Gary Honey entered for Basil Sellers Art Prize., on show at Gateway Galleries Eltham as part of her Extra-Ordinary People series. Newspaper article: "Celebrate history and her story", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 February 2008. Jenni Mitchell and Grace Mitchell already nominated for a Nillumbik Women's Network publication. Newspaper article: "Aura of northern lights draws Eltham artist", Diamond Valley Leader, 13 January 2010. NewspaperJenni Mitchel will travel o a Norwegian cruise ship for six weeks. Newspaper article: "Brush with fame", Banyule and Nillumbik Weekly, 28 September 2010. Jenni Mitchell's house and studio, and her exhibition "From the Edge" at Montsalvat until 30 September 2010. Talk flier: "A visual presentation and floor talk" by Jenni Mitchell for her exhibition "From the Edge" 16 September 2010. Exhibtion flier: "From the Edge" exhibition of painting and photography by Jenni Mitchell, Montsalvat 3-30 September 2010. Newspaper article: "Home is where the art is", Diamond Valley Leader, 16 November 2011. Jenni Mitchell's early life with Grace Mitchell, and exhibition as part of Artists Open Studios. Newspaper article: "Artists visit Mongolia", Diamond Valley Leader, 25 April 2012. Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan will spend seven weeks in Mongolia, exhibiting at the National Museum of Mongolia. Flier: Open Studio, Jenni Mitchell, Mervyn Hannan, Grace Mitchell, 5-6 May 2012. Newspaper article: "Shared love fires artists", Diamond Valley Leader, 4 July 2012. Exhibition of works by Mongolian artist Tugsoyun Sodnom, Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Tribute to an art legend", Diamond Valley Leader, 26 September 2012. Exhibition "Grace Mitchell" A selected Retrospective" to open at South Fine Art Studios and Gallery on 7 October 2012. Newsletter article: "Jenni Mitchell - My mother Grace", Eltham District Historical Society No.207 November 2012. Exhibition notes: "The Retro Eltham Show", Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 14 April to 9 June 2013. Newspaper article: "Jenni salutes Mongolia", Diamond Valley Leader, 12 November 2013. Jenni Mitchell's exhibition "Two Mongolian Journeys" at Eltham South Fine Art Gallery until 24 December 2013. Flier: Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 6 Mount Pleasant Road, undated. Newspaper article: "Moving on is not without a shockwave", Diamond Valley Leader, 26 October 2016. Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan are moving to Hamilton, selling their Mt Pleasant Road property and gallery Newspaper article: "Great Grampians, It's Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan!", Jenni Mitchell and Mervyn Hannan's exhibtion at Streamline Publishing's Gallery, opened by Vicki Ward, 7-28 September 2022.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcjenni mitchell, grace mitchell, cornelis vieeskens, dempsters fine art gallery, judith rodriguez, montsalvat eltham, professor a d hope, judith wright, geoffrey eggleston, shelton lea, montsalvat poetry festival, artists open studios, mervyn hannan, south fine art studios and gallery, jennifer mitchell, ken taylor, nic taylor, ross house gallery kew, melbourne spoleto festival, brian pearce, robert wilson, bundanon, adam galleries, eltham wiregrass gallery, alan martin, eltham community gallery, eltham cemetery, cemeteries and crematoria bill, isla heddle, nillumbik cemetery trust, michael dobson, tpmy raimoc, belinda clarkson, friends of nillumbik, catherine dale, allstair royse, archibald prize, dickerson galley, hugh stubley, stephen pearce, trinity digital solutions, gateway galleries eltham, gary honey, basil sellers art prize, nillumbik women's network, warwick leeson, national museum of mongolia, tugsoyun sodnom, michelle morgan, zanzy community choir, eltham south fine art gallery, streamline publishing's gallery, vicki ward, sonia skipper, joe hannan, robert marshall, hamilton regional gallery, petschel house hamilton, colin rouse, st. katherine's church, st helena

James Johnston settled at Kangaroo Ground in 1849. His nephew James Mess joined him and a descendant Robert James Mess changed his surname to Ness. The family became active in all aspects of Kangaroo Ground life. Contents Text (handwritten and transcribed): "The Ness Family, Kangaroo Ground", Joy Ness, 1989. Newspaper article: "True pioneer stock", Diamond Valley News, 2 March 1982. History of the Mess/Ness family Newspaper article: "Ness family are keepers of 140 years of historical knowledge", Diamond Valley News, 4 February 1986. History of Joseph Stephenson and descendants. Newspaper article: "Joy Ness paints native flowers for posterity". Diamond Valley News, 21 October 1986. Life and career of Joy Ness as painter. Newspaper article: "His Cup runneth of with Joy", ?Diamond Valley Leader, 6 December 2000. Bruce and Joy Ness celebrate 60th wedding anniversary. Pencil sketch by Joh Ebeli no date but pre 2004: Portrait of Joy Ness dressed for the Historical Society Parade. Order of Service: Thanksgiving service for the life of Robert Bruce Ness 22 January 1917 / 28 June 2004. Eltham District Historical Society newsletter no date: "Robert Bruce Ness 1917-2004", obituary and extract from Joy Ness's history of the family. Copy of letter from Joh Ebeli to Gwen Orford, no date but ~2004: Describes drawings he made of Robert Bruce Ness when taking part in Diamond Valley Arts Society float and enclosed 3 drawings and a photograph of drawing of the bakers (corner Main Road and York Street Eltham). Eltham District Historical Society newsletter September 2013: "Vale Joy Ness", obituary and extract from Diamond Valley News article of 6 December 2000.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcness family kangaroo ground, james johnston, kangaroo ground, pretty hill farm, wellers hotel, betsy sadler, ingleside kangaroo ground, james mess, jane stevenson, ness lane kangaroo ground, view hill kangaroo ground, stte savings bank agency, ruth lettice gosling nee mess, kangaroo ground state school, garden hills kangaroo ground, william mess, joseph mess, isabella mess, james johnson mess, ruth ettie mess, george mess, alexander mess, janes mess, robert david mess, heidelberg agricultural show, diamond creek agricultural show, rober james ness, pearl ness nee mills, william mills, sabina mills, robert bruce ness, beryl ness, vera ness, donald ness, kangaroo ground presbyterian church, kangaroo ground cemetery trust, kangaroo ground tennis club, professor osborne, doctor osborne, joseph stevenson, joy ness, kangaroo ground fire brigade, bruce ness, country fire authority, ship wellington 1837, diamond creek, david christmas, christmas hills, andres harkness, samuel furphy, andrew ross, caledonian gold fields, queenstown now st andrews, mother coleman of kangaroo ground, diamond valley arts society, winifred joy ness, andrew ross museum, eltham art show

Diamond Creek resident Frank Sheehan became a teacher after years of agricultural work, later taking up painting. Contents Newspaper article: "The teacher who had cut cane, but never used one", Diamond Valley News, 23 September 1986. Life story of Frank Sheehan,Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcfrank sheehan, kathleen josephine sheehan nee o'shea, olympic village school heidelberg, wattle glen primary school, research primary school, macleod primary school, lesley sinclair, diamond valley arts society, retarded foundation of victoria, ivanhoe primary school, tony harkin

Pamela Pedersen, daughter of Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, became an athlete, and lives in Eltham Contents Newspaper article: "An inner flame for her people", Diamond Valley Leader, 23 November 2005. Pamela Pedersen to carry Commonwealth Games torch baton.. Newspaper article: "Family of champions", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Pamela Pedersen's life and family. Newspaper article: "Giant steps", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Cover picture and summary for article within newspaper.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcpamela pedersen, pastor sir doug nicholls, heidelberg women's athletics club, adam petersen, victorian aboriginal community controlled health organisation, kim petersen, indigenous sportsperson of the year 2005, yorta yorta elder, children's koori court

Eltham resident Police Sergeant Michael Reeves won the 1996 Ethnic Communities Police Annual Award for his work with Somalian refugees. Contents Newspaper article: "Award for work among refugees", Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1996. Outline of Michael Reeves' work with Somalian refugees in West Heidelberg.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmichael reeves, somalian refugees, west heidelberg, north west migrant resourve centre

Daniel and Catherine came to Australia in 1856; settling at Diamond Creek; his son Patrick established the butcher shop. Patrick and Jean had three sons, one being John, rather ofJock Ryan who became an Anglican minister. Contents Newspaper article: "Home again at St John's", Diamond Valley News, 23 April 1991. Jock Ryan 's family and career in the Services and as an Anglican minister. Newspaper article: "Sedate bring centenary", Diamond Valley News, 15 April 1998. History of Diamond Creek Bridge and involvement of Ryan family. Newspaper article: "Pages a passage to past", Diamond Valley Leader 14 March 2001. Jock Ryan researching Diamond Creek history in the State Library. Newsletter article: "Honouring the Ryans", Heidelberg Historian no.217 August 2003. BroadGully Reserve renamed Ryans Reserve to acknowledge community service of the Ryan family. Newspaper article: "Penniless, brave start for clan", Diamond Valley Leader, ? January 2006. History of the Ryan family of Diamond Creek. Newspaper notice: "Ryan, Rev Jock Lugton", The Age, 15 May 2020. Death notice. Newspaper notice: "Ryan, Eleanor Jean (known as Jean) (nee Baddeley)", The Age, 12 September 2020 and 17 September 2020. Death notice.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcjock ryan, gipson street diamond creek, patrick ryan, heidelberg council, joseph lugton, diamond creek primary school, eltham high school, melbourne high school, commonwealth rehabilitation scheme, ridley theological college, caulfield grammar school, diamond creek living and learning centre, st john's anglican church diamond creek, nillumbik historical society, pub crawl around diamond creek's historical pubs, daniel ryan, catherine ryan, diamond creek football club, jean ryan, diamond creek bridge, lanvos reserve diamond creek, broadgully road diamond creek, ryans reserve diamond creek, joan hipkin nee ryan, eleanore jean ryan nee baddeley, margaret ryan, jock lugton ryan

Alan Partington's research into his mother's family the Medhursts and the Rustons, who were early settlers in the Greensborough district. Contents Newspaper article: "How early families linked up" Diamond Valley News, 28 February 1984, Describes Alan Partington's research into his mother's family the Medhursts and the Rustons. Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcalan partington, annie-may medhurst, william partington, david medhurst, peter ruston, plenty river flour mill, greensborough hotel, panton hill victoria, henry hurst, martha medhurst (nee ruston), gruyere victoria, main street greensborough, heidelberg news, jack medhurst, james medhurst