This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1942 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Remains of Edmund Grindal, D.D. Successively Bishop of London and Archbishop of York and Canterbury Edited for The Parker Society by Rev. William Nicholson Publisher: Cambridge University Press Date: 1843 Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 252 GRI Pastedown end page has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, pattison collection, warrnambool library, ralph eric pattison, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the remains of edmund grindal, rev. william nicholson, the parker society

These photographs of a presentation to a charity organisation were taken in the grounds of Fortuna Villa, Army Survey Regiment in 1984. SPR Tracy (Parker) Ash was the unit’s Miss Golden North section entrant in the Miss Australia Quest. MAJ Bob Roche, RSM Bob Mason and SPR Parker presented a fundraising cheque to the unidentified representative from the Spastic Society. The the newspaper article is from the Bendigo Advertiser. The following wording is taken from the article: ‘Tracy Parker is a sapper in the Army, and a cartographic technician stationed at Fortuna, Bendigo. Originally from Melbourne, Tracy, 23, is the latest entrant in the Miss Golden North segment of the Miss Australia Quest. The highlight of Tracy’s quest will be an open day at Fortuna, once the magnificent home of Bendigo’s Quartz King, George Lansell. This open day at Fortuna, on Sunday, August 26, between 10 am and 4 pm, will give district residents a rare opportunity of inspecting this magnificent building and its gardens. Tracy said there will be handicrafts, rides, competitions and refreshments available at the open day. The main attraction, apart from the building and gardens, would be a hot air balloon. Admission to the open day would be: Adults $2, children and pensioners $1, family party $5. All proceeds from the open day at Fortuna will go to the Spastic Society. Tracy, like all other Miss Australia candidates work hard for the Spastic Society in fundraising activities. Getting further involved in fundraising, Tracy and her strong committee have organised a 6km fun run for Sunday August 19. Entry forms are available at Bendigo sports stores, and at the end of the fun run will be a barbecue. Apart from her vocation in the Army, and fundraising for the Spastic Society, Tracy Parker has a great love of horses, and associated activities of riding, jumping and showing her horses. Tracy is keen to do well in her fundraising, and with the Australian Army, or more particularly, the ranks of Fortuna behind her, Tracy looks like succeeding.’The first three items are photographs of a presentation to a charity organisation at the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo in 1984. The fourth item is an article from the Bendigo Advertiser describing Army Survey Regiment’s fund-raising activities. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photographic proof prints were scanned at 600 dpi. The newspaper article was scanned at 762 dpi. .1) to .2P) - Photo, black & white, 1984, L to R: RSM WO1 Bob Mason, SPR Tracy (Parker) Ash, unidentified charity organisation representative, MAJ Bob Roche. .3) - Photo, black & white, 1984, L to R: MAJ Bob Roche, unidentified charity organisation representative, SPR Tracy (Parker) Ash, RSM WO1 Bob Mason. .4) – Bendigo Advertiser newspaper article with photo, black & white, 1984, SPR Tracy (Parker) Ash. .1P to .3P – No personnel identified. .4P – SPR Tracy Parker named in newspaper article.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, asr

Kevin Parker was born in 1942 in Melbourne and studied Architecture at RMIT and from 1965-1990 worked as a freelance architectural illustrator. He continued this when he moved to Deddick in East Gippsland in 1991. In 2001 -2002 he began working on series of drawings about Mc Killops Bridge and environs for exhibition at Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale Victoria (Oct 2003). These drawings and prints feature McKillop's Bridge an the item is a compilation from a folder usually sold in the Slab Hut (Orbost Visitor Information Centre). A loose-leaf display book of copies of architectural style pencil drawings by Deddick artist, Kevin Parker. There is an introduction by Valerie Auer of Tubbut. The drawings are of McKillop's Bridge.parker-kevin drawings mckillop's-bridge display-book

The two boys in this photograph are Stanley (7) and Maurice (5) Kelly. The two boys were lost in the bush near Orbost for three days. The had been sent by their mother, Mrs Parker, to borrow tea and sugar from a neighbour but became lost on the way home. They were found, scratched and with clothes torn, by a woodcutter, Mr W. Morell. There was a newspaper article on the front page of the Adelaide Mail , Saturday 22 July 1933,This photograph is linked with an event in Orbost's history.A small black / white photograph / postacrd of two small boys standing side by side in a paddock.on back - "The Kelly Kids, lost near L. Curlip"kelly-maurice kelly-stanley

Adzes are used for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking. It is similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle. It is used chiefly for shaping wood.A square ended adze that has a thin arched blade set at right angles to the wooden handle. The handle is not original.wood-working-tool adze carpentry

The double-storey homestead with 1920s Arts and Crafts styling was built by A.K.T. (Albert Keaston Trenavin) Sambell, the the island’s first shire president. It sits just above the original site of the homestead of the pioneering McHaffie brothers, the Island’s first settlers.HistoricalLarge black and white photograph of a flat topped cart with no sides, pulled by 2 draught horses. Water tank on stand in rural background & people sitting on the cart. 3 women wearing hats and 4 boys, one holding a cricket bat.Off to the Nobbies for a day's picnic - 1917 from "Trenavin Park". Keaston Sambell driving. Sitting behind him - Betty Parker and on side of vehicle from left.-May Lambert, Jim Patterson, Jim Blake, Carmen Sambell, Bill Sambell.trenavin park phillip island, a.k. t. sampbell, betty parker, jim patterson, jim blake, carmen sambell, bill sambell, may lambert

Nabuko (Cherry) Parker was the first Japanese Immigrant to become an Australian citizen.Article on the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Gordon Parker and Nobuko Sakuramoto, local Ringwood residents. Article in Herald Sun Mon April 6, 1998 with photograph. +Additional Keywords: Parker, Gordon / Parker, Nabuko (Cherry) / Sakuramoto, Nobuko / Cherry Parker

Borough of Ringwood community information report issued December 1959, including financial summary and sections covering Private Street Construction, Sewerage, Projected Works, Fire Hazards, Dog Nuisance, and an obituary section covering the death during the year of Cr. H.E. Parker, former Mayor, and Mr. Alfred Kelly, Town Clerk.rinx

Soft cover metal & plastic bound book featuring photographs entered in the H.E. Parker Reserve Photographic Competition and Display 2015, including the prize winners.Reserves in Heathmont series: no.2. Text by the Heathmont History Group - Les Prato, Jeff Leipold, Gerry Robinson (convenor), Rita James, Betty Colbert.

2 photographs- 1 black and white, 1 sepia."Attached to photograph" Names of Members: Top row - left to right. 1 A.Blood, 2 - 3 Thiele, 4 Thatcher, 5 -- ,6 --, 7 J.Hann Middle row - 1 Tortice, 2 Falconer, 3 --,4 --,5 --, 6 Wiggins, 7 Hembrow, 8 --,9 J B McAlpin Bottom row - 1 --, 2 --, 3 Graham, 4 Evans, 5 --, 6 --, 7 Eckelestein, Sitting on ground - Left 1 --, Right 1 --Parker.

Further development of 9 shop sites took place along Whitehorse Road (later street numbers 58 to 64 Whitehorse Road) between New Street and Olive Grove around 1950 - See Victorian Collections reference 5227.Single sided page with red and blue print advertising Olive Grove Estate business and residential allotments, including subdivision plan and summary of local services.Subdivision includes Whitehorse Road, New Street, and Olive Grove. Agent - F.V. Parker, Telephone 131, Ringwood.

Brochure on town planning by Cr. H.E. Parker, JP., Mayor of the Borough of Ringwood (Victoria), circa 1946Includes reprinted article from the Melbourne Herald, Tuesday, July 23rd, 1946. - "Ringwood has the Right Idea."

Programme guide for Ringwood's third annual show to be held on Friday and Saturday, 3rd and 4th April, 1936.Includes programme of show events, exhibit categories and judging criteria, sporting actiities, and local advertising.

Vol. XVIII Part 6. Principal Contents - Report on Victorian Egg-Laying Competition, Loganberry Culture, Agricultural Display at the Special Show, Farm Notes.Includes article on Loganberries - "Small Fruit Culture in Victoria" by A.A. Hammond, Orchard Supervisor. Article also includes a photograph of "Mr. Murfet's Loganberry Plantation at Ringwood".

James Parker and William McMeekin arrived in 1881 in Victoria and commenced their business a large proportion of which was in Warrnambool. They opened up a butter, cheese and pork export trade with South Australia, which operated successfully for sometime before South Australia altered their tariff duties which badly affected trade. After a period dealing with Queensland, they set their sights further afield to London. The Warrnambool butter Factory was commenced around this time and William McMeekin was closely connected with its establishment. They traded in other farm produce and machinery as well as having interests in land, loans and insurance. William McMeekin was a member of the Town Council for some time and J.P. McMeekin was a member of the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Society and was a director of the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory. They operated their business from different sites in Kepler Street and Raglan Parade.An everyday item with a link to an individuals and a company which had a long association with Warrnambool.Aluminium cover with raised edge shaped to fit around top, bottom and one side. Designed to fit around match box leaving striking edge exposed. Embossed lettering on front and back. Contains matchbox with label depicting shell in green with green and yellow background. Box is faded blue. J.P. McMeekin Produce Merchant Warrnambool Phone 263 on front and back. Prov pat ** 367 on side. warrnambool, p.l. phillips, grocer, provision merchant, nestle warrnambool, nestle dennington, calendar 1919

These are three volumes of Peloubet’s Select Notes. The book contents are described as ‘Inductive, Suggestive, Explanatory, Illustrative, Doctrinal and Practical’. The books were issued as curriculum material for Sunday Schools and were first published in the mid 1870s and continued to be published for the next 100 years. These three volumes belonged to M. P. McMeekin and this is presumed to be Margaret Parker McMeekin (1868-1948), the daughter of John McMeekin and Isabella Parker of Warrnambool. John McMeekin was the Rate Collector and Inspector and then the Valuer for the Warrnambool Shire in the 1860s, 70s and 80s. Two sons, William and James, operated a produce export business in Kepler Street under the name of McMeekin Brothers and another son, Charles was an auctioneer in Warrnambool. It is surmised that Margaret McMeekin was a Sunday School teacher either in Warrnambool or Port Fairy. These books are of interest as examples of what was taught in Sunday Schools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are also of interest because they belonged to Margaret McMeekin, a member of a prominent family in Warrnambool at that time. These are three books of a religious nature written by F. and M. Peloubet and published in 1895, 1898 and 1904. .1 A hard cover book of 346 pages with a greenish brown cover and gold lettering on the spine. Two blue stamps of the Warrnmbool & District Historical Society and a handwritten name are on the first page .2 A hard cover book of 344 pages with a brown cover and gold lettering on the spine. Two blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society are on the first and last page. The cover has worn edges. .3 A hard cover book of 358 pages with a greenish brown cover and gold lettering on the spine. There are two blue stamps of the Warrnambool & District Historical Society on the first and last page. There is a black and white full page plate at the beginning of the book and this is protected by a piece of tissue. ‘M.P. McMeekin, Port Fairy’ (1895 volume) sunday schools, margaret mcmeekin, warrnambool history

The Parker Bros Auto Company was established in 1927 in Liebig Street, with the business selling Chevrolet cars and used cars and later becoming the original Holden dealer in Warrnambool. The company employed a large staff with show rooms, a workshop, a panel shop, and a spare parts section. In 1968 the business relocated to 109 Lava Street and was still operating in the 1980s.This key ring holder is of great interest as a souvenir of Parker Bros. Auto Co, a prominent business in Warrnambool for over 50 years.This is a brown leather key holder issued as an advertising feature by Parker Bros Auto Co. Warrnambool. The key holder is folded over to include a metal bottle opener which is held to the leather with a metal stud and a metal press stud enables the holder to be locked shut. There are two holes at the end to attach keys to the holder. The printing on the holder is in gold lettering. ‘Ignition’, ‘Door’, ‘Home’, ‘Office’ ‘Auto Keys’ ‘Parker Bros. Auto Co. Warrnambool Phone 627’ parker bros auto co warrnambool, history of warrnambool

This trophy, donated by Camperdown Apex Club, was awarded to members of the South Western District for Dinner Notice Excellence. The winners listed on the trophy are Gerard Ryan, Camperdown, Desi Pekin, Cobden, Dale Alexander, Camperdown, Tim Fitzpatrick, Terang, Leigh Parker, Terang, John Berger, Terang, Kevin Dwyer, Koroit, Maree Fenton, Terang, Grant Picone, Terang and Darren Williamson, Colac. The dates range from 1991 to 2002. Apex Clubs are service clubs that provide people with the opportunity to volunteer within their community. Members are aged between 18 and 45. The first Apex Club was formed in Geelong in 1931 and Warrnambool Apex Club was the fifth club formed in 1931. It went into recess in 1941 and was re-established in 1952. The club closed in 2011. This trophy is retained as it comes from the Apex Clubs of the South West District and Warrnambool Apex Club, now closed, was a member of this group. This is a wooden trophy consisting of a wooden base with a wooden plinth with two wooden columns on either side. The columns have a gold-coloured strip running along the entire length of the columns. On top of the plinth is a gold-coloured holder for a pennant or flag. The base and the plinth have gold-coloured metal name plates. All of these contain inscribed names except one. Donated by Camperdown Apex Club South Western District Dinner Notice Excellence warrnambool apex club, history of warrnambool

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property

Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker

Victorian Railways Aerial Surveyshire of eltham archives, aerial photo, main road, anzac avenue, hursbridge, parker road, hurstbridge railway station, rose road

Victorian Railways Aerial Surveyshire of eltham archives, aerial photo, main road, anzac avenue, hursbridge, parker road, hurstbridge railway station, rose road

Victorian Railways Aerial Surveyshire of eltham archives, aerial photo, main road, anzac avenue, hursbridge, parker road, hurstbridge railway station, rose road

Victorian Railways Aerial Surveyshire of eltham archives, aerial photo, main road, anzac avenue, hursbridge, parker road, hurstbridge railway station, rose road

Victorian Railways Aerial Surveyshire of eltham archives, aerial photo, main road, anzac avenue, hursbridge, parker road, hurstbridge railway station, rose road