WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. Singing to The Cattle Author: Brian Elliott Publisher: Georgian House Date: 1947 Label on spine with typed text R.A. 824.914 ELL Pastedown front endpaper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library singing to the cattle, brian elliott, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, warrnambool, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road

Summary "A young man from the working-class suburb of Fitzroy was on the cusp of a brilliant career and was the talk of the Academy's salons. Far from his humble origins, he now stood shoulder to shoulder with the leading figures of London's art world. Max Martin was an enigmatic achiever who stood briefly on the mountaintop but died in obscurity. It was over thirty years after his death before a painting of his was acquired by a public collection. The National Gallery of Victoria, Newcastle City Gallery in New South Wales and the art collection of the State Library of Victoria now all hold his work. What made him turn his back on painting at the height of critical acclaim? How close was he to a career in mainstream ballet and what drove him to march for disarmament in his later years?"--Booktopia.artists, eltham, max martin, biography

Max Martin was an artist. Contents Catalogue: "Max Martin", exhibition at Bridget McDonnell Gallery, 14 to 30 November 2023. Book: "No Singing in Gum Trees: The honest lift of Max Martin", by Jeremy Hill with essays by Ronald Millar, 2023. EDHS_07167.Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etcmax martin, no singing in gum trees: the honest life of max martin", jeremy hill, ronald millar

Photograph of two of the shops at Briar Hill. Also in this shopping precinct is Briar Hill Bakehouse which made the Urban List May 2022 guide to Melbourne and Victoria’s Best Vanilla Slice. "Briar Hill Traditional Bakehouse. When half of Melbourne are contacting Urban List and singing the praise of Briar Hill's snot block, there wasn't a chance that it'd miss out on a spot in this list. Flaky and custard-y in all the right ways, Briar Hill Traditional Bakehouses vanilla slice has cemented itself as a part of many local's mid-morning ritual." Colour digital photograph.briar hill, briar hill shops, mountainview road briar hill, sherbourne road briar hill, briar hill bakehouse

The Moor-Rul Viewing Platform, part of the Kangaroo Ground War Memorial Park opened in April 2007. Eight double-sided interpretation panels on the Moor-rul viewing platform highlight the area's Aboriginal and European history of the area and also details of local geology, flora and fauna. These panels feature high quality graphic design and professionally written text. The subjects covered are: ''Womin Je Ka" Welcome The Kulin Nation Singing, Dancing, Ceremony, Celebration This Country, My Home The Highland Taken Auld Lang Syne "Same Land Different Views" Working the Land Food from the Earth or "Earth's Harvest" Lest We Forget, "And with the going down of the Sun .... (3 panels) This Black Earth Those other indigenous inhabitants - Kangaroo Ground's Wildlife Silent Witnesses - Kangaroo Ground's White Manna Gums Belonging A Place of Reverence and A Tower of Strength Souce: EDHS Newsletter No 173 March 2007. As part of a program to acknowledge the Anzac Centenary Nillumbik Shire Council partnered with Yarra Plenty Regional Library to provide a bus tour with commentary of local sites of significance: Shire of Nillumbik World War One Memorials tour, 10 August 2016. These included Eltham township, the Shire of Eltham War Memorial at Kangaroo Ground, Christmas Hills war memorial, Hurstbridge memorial recreation park and finshed at Eltham Library to view the Writing the War exhibtion at Eltham Library Community Gallery.Born Digitalwar memorials, shire of nillumbik, indigenous history, kangaroo ground, moor-rul viewing platform, interpretative signage, interpretation panel, display panel

Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine was a Students' Association magazine. The president was G.N. Hart and the 1964 editors were Kelvin Whitford and Armand Krastins. The cover was designed by Colin Jellet. Advertising was obtained by Jon McDonald and Peter Smith. Active collaborators were John Costa, Ken Delany, Roger Lonsdale, John Byrne and Bobby Ong Gim Sen. Harry Arblaster retired in 1964 as the Principal of the Ballarat School of Mines, and E.J. Barker was appointed in his place. The Vice-Principal was H.J. TrudingerYellow/orange soft covered book of 96 pages. Articles include: Initiation, The creative Personality, Folk Singing by the Miners, SMB Silent Movies Inc., Red Roar and the Commie Threat, Paleopyrology, Conventional Wisdom, B-Day, The Malaysian Student in Australia, Moral Heresy, Sport, The Past and the Future?, The Possibility of Fusion Power, School Council, Members of Staff, list of full time diploma students. Those who had diplomas conferred were listed, as were the prize winners. Snippets: D.M. Pollard won the R.W. Richards Medal; John Costa was SRC Secretary, Jon McDonald was SRC President Images are named and include student activities Advertisement include: Ronaldson Brothers and Tippett; Electrolytic Zinc Company, Myers, Mount Isa Mines, Austaluco Aluminium, Owen's of Ballarat, Alexandria Tea Rooms, Roy Brack's Men's Wear, Lamanz, A.J. William Electrical Instruments, H.B. Selby, M.G. Taylor, T.J. Coutts, Ballaarat Gas Company, H.A. Davis Motor Service, Henderson-Palmer, Coca-Cola, Philps Electrical Industries, the Wattle, Eclipse Motors, BHP, M.B. John & Hattersley, Sheffield's Record Bar, Andrew Gault, Tait Book Company, Broken Hill Associated Smelters, Ballarat Colour Centre, Morsheads, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, J.J. Mortimer, Ewins, Gallery 321, J.A. Hoskinballarat school of mines, students' association, ray windmill, kelvin whitford, jennifer boyd, malcolm park, jutta bacsak, noel brady, gloria medlyn, ken felstead, jan butterworth, wayne collins, diana berry, lora richter, arblaster, stephen drew, judi woodward, michael moissinac, marilyn barclay, jon mcdonald, gloria roberts, ratnam nachiappan, jeni milbourne, daila berzins, bernard livingston, trudinger, barker, ballarat asian students' association, margaret leong, yew har ong, william cheng, elen leong, joan wright, poh teck shen, kristine goodier, kok fong ho, robert grub, tan joo lim, eric mcgrath award, kevin whitford, ronaldson brothers and tippett, electrolytic zinc company, myers, mount isa mines, austaluco aluminium, owen's of ballarat, alexandria tea rooms, roy brack's men's wear, lamanz, a.j. william electrical instruments, h.b. selby, m.g. taylor, t.j. coutts, ballaarat gas company, h.a. davis motor service, henderson-palmer, coca-cola, philps electrical industries, the wattle, eclipse motors, bhp, m.b. john & hattersley, sheffield's record bar, andrew gault, tait book company, broken hill associated smelters, ballarat colour centre, morsheads, commonwealth aircraft corporation, j.j. mortimer, ewins, gallery 321, j.a. hoskin

Édouard de Reszke was born into a well-to-do and cultured Polish family in Warsaw, where he first learned to sing. He spent four years in Italy, studying singing first with Stella and Alba in Milan and later the retired baritone Filippo Coletti. He later went to Paris to study with Giovanni Sbriglia, who was also his brother's teacher. Initially, he did not want to become an operatic performer but at the urging of his younger sister, Josephine (Józefina), he accepted an engagement with the Paris Opera. He was chosen by the composer Giuseppe Verdi to make his debut in the first Paris performance of Aida on April the 22nd 1876, appearing under the composer's baton as the King of Egypt. De Reszke's older brother was the renowned lyric dramatic tenor Jean de Reszke (1850–1925), with whom he would sing often in Paris, London and New York City during the next two decades. In 1887, for example, the brothers performed together in the 500th performance of Gounod's Faust at the Paris Opera. Josephine, Eduardo and Jean's sister, also embarked on a career as an opera singer in Paris but she retired early from the stage after marrying an aristocrat while at the height of her powers. Between the start of 1880 and the end of 1900, Édouard de Reszke appeared on more than 300 occasions at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, performing a wide range of roles in French, German and Italian operas, including works by Wagner, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Ponchielli, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Mozart. He was a huge favourite, too, with audiences at New York's Metropolitan Opera during the same era. He also sang in Chicago in 1891 and, in 1879–1881, at La Scala, Milan. In 1903, he retired from the stage after his once superlative voice developed technical difficulties and went into a swift decline. De Reszke taught singing for a while in London before returning to his estate in Poland, where he was adversely affected by the outbreak of World War I in 1914. He was cut off from his brother by the fighting, and died on 25 May 1917 at a house in Garnek, near Częstochowa, Poland. Édouard de Reszke, was a Polish bass singer from Warsaw, born with an impressive natural voice and equipped with compelling histrionic skills, he became one of the most illustrious opera singers active in Europe and America during the late-Victorian era. De Reszke cigarettes are named after Édouard de Reszke and were advertised as ‘the Aristocrat of Cigarettes’. They were produced by J Millhoff, a Russian cigarette maker living in London. He created a special blend of tobacco that it was believed would not damage the famous singer's voice. In gratitude, Millhoff was allowed to sell the blend as 'De Reszke' cigarettes. Cigarette tin, small square, pale aqua color.Marked on lid with two coats of arms in gold, and text in dark blue underneath. 'De Reszke Virginia ‘The Aristocrat of Cigarettes'.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, aristocrat of cigarettes, j millhoff, opera singer

A photocopy of newspaper publication of obituary for Annie Mavis Webster, MBE 21/5/1914 - 8/4/2000 An exceptional singer who contributed greatly to local Bendigo and Australia as well as abroad Bendigo born and raised by Edwin and Annie Webster, Education was at Camp Hill. A life long participation in and commitment to local music and Competition Society provided opportunities for performance. The ultimate prize for amateur singers at the time was the Sun News Pictorial Aria Competition, which Mavis attained as runner up in 1938 and as winner in 1939. Outbreak of WWII curtailed early opportunities for overseas travel but there was much call for her as recitalist, artist and teacher such as at The Sisters of Mercy at St Mary's Convent, Bendigo where she taught singing. Mavis gained impressive reputation and experience in numerous roles including as chorister (and founder of the all female choir and the Benola singers which she also named, after her home), and later (1960) included male voices; she was also conductor; musical director; and adjudicator at Eisteddfords. She laso taught at Girton, St Killian's. During the 1950s Mavis went on a very successful 9 month overseas trip on which she was inspired in many respects including the formation of the choirs. In 1978 Mavis was made a Member of the British Empire for her services to music.City of Greater Bendigo acknowledged Mavis contribution and skills by establishing the Mavis Webster Vocal Collection at the City library.bendigo, history, obituary and biography of annie mavis webster mbe, forest st methodist (now uniting) bendigo, girton, st killian's, herald sun aria, the eisteddford, sisters of mercy at st mary's convent, mavis webster vocal collection, city of greater bendigo, margaret watters.

The foundation stone for the Cairns Memorial Church in East Melbourne was laid on 20 November 1882, and construction began in 1883 to a design produced by architects Reed, Henderson and Smart of Melbourne. The church was named in memory of the Rev. Dr. Adam Cairns (1802-1881), late pastor of Chalmers Church on Eastern Hill. Cairns was born in Scotland and ministered there until coming to Melbourne in 1853, where he served as a minister until 1876. The church in East Melbourne was intended to accommodate those who had seceded from Chalmers Church and formed themselves into a new charge. The original design for 'a handsome and commodious edifice in the early English Gothic style capable of seating 750 persons' was described and illustrated in The Australasian Sketcher (January 1883). The interior was to be octagonal in form, with the organ and choir placed in the southern transept. The first portion of the church was opened in November 1883, but was soon found, under the popular ministry of the Rev. G.D. Buchanan, to be too small for the congregation. A new design by the architects Twentyman and Askew was developed, and the first part of the redesigned building was opened on 5 October 1884. The completed building was opened on 17 April 1887. Built from Barrabool Hills stone with Waurn Ponds freestone dressings, it consisted of a nave and transepts, with raking floor, a substantial undercroft and the base of an incomplete tower and spire to the north-west. The church was gutted by fire in August 1988 and was subsequently redeveloped as an apartment complex. The congregation of Cairns Memorial now worships at Richmond-Collingwood, or at St. Michael's Collins Street. Colour photo showing a group of Fijians singing to a guitar accompaniment in the apse of the Cairns Memorial Church East Melbourne.cairns memorial, dr adam cairns, chalmers church, powlett st. east melbourne, australasian sketcher, reed henderson smart, gothic style, presbyterian, twentyman askew, fijians

From 'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NORTHERN PROTECTOR OF ABORIGINALS FOR 1903, Queensland' With regard to the instruction and general education given to the children and adults, I have, as usual, to speak in terms of the highest praise. I do not recognise anything that could be improved upon. For the first time in my life, I have heard little aboriginal children, boys and girls, doing part-singing. The band consists of a drum, four cornets, a tenor horn, and bass; lack of funds alone prevents more instruments being added. A most successful concert was lately given in Cairns in aid of the mission expenses. (https://aiatsis.gov.au/sites/default/files/catalogue_resources/63482.pdf)A black and white image of a musical band made up of Aborigines of Queensland. aborigines, band, music

Two panoramic photos of people singing Christmas Carols in St Brigid's Crossley. Music is being played by the Port Fairy Brass Band. st brigid's crossley, christmas carols, crossley, church

2 pages from Magazine. Coloured photographs of The Mikado, with large red writing "The Mikado"THE MIKADO Nanki-Poo - Kanen Breen Katisha - Jacqueline Darkthe mikado, musical theatre, jacqueline dark, opera australia, oa, mezzo soprano, singing, opera

A program on A4 white paper with black text of 8 pages with a sketch of a grand piano on coverALL ABOUT MUSIC Presents A CONCERT TO REMEMBER Directed by John Dingle An afternoon of exceptional entertainment featuring vocal music from Don Giovanni, Carmen, Rent, Porgy & Bess, West Side Story, Jekyll & Hyde and more!concert, musical, jacqueline dark, andrew dark, singers, singing, music, opera

Jacqueline Dark attended Ballarat Grammar school. She has won many awards for singing and performs with Opera Australia.A4 page in colour from school magazineJacqueline Dark was recognised in Melbourne's premier arts award ceremony. The Green Room Awards recently for her work as Composer in Victoria Opera's Ariadne and Naxos. Jacqui was nominated in the category of "Female in a Leading Role" along with Yvonnne Kenny, Dominica Matthews, Tiffany Speight and Susan Bullock. All performances were of exceptional quality. The nominations and awards are made by the Green Room membership of industry professionals via sub-committees for each discipline.jacqueline dark, the green room, awards, yvonnne kenny, dominica matthews, tiffany speight, susan bullock

Made in Ballarat The latest in a series of events including recitals and masterclasses. Patron David Hobson, this program was devised by Graeme Vendy. President of the Arts Foundation Val Sarah.3 pages cover with image of hands playing violin, the program, and insert on blue paper with programme of musical items.Orchestral MASTERCLASS 21st June 2008 ... etc MADE IN BALLARAT Concert 2.30pm 22nd June 2008 The Ballarat Symphony Orchestra - Conductor Benjamin Northey With - David Hobson, Roger Lemke, Jacqueline Dark Accompanist - Wendy Rechenberg ... etc.orchestral, made in ballarat, 2008, the ballarat symphony orchestra, benjamin northey, david hobson, roger lemke, jacqueline dark, wendy rechenberg, opera, singing, singer, orchestra, ballarat

Jacqueline Dark and Natalie Jones singing "Two Little Girls in Blue" at Sovereign Hill Victoria Theatre. Both became principal artists with Opera Australia.Black and white photo of two women singing . They are Jacqueline Dark (left) and Natalie Jonesjacqueline dark, natalie jones, sovereign hill, victoria theatre, opera australia

Born in Australia, Halinka began learning the piano at the age of four years when her mother gave her her first lesson. Her father was Stanislaw, a well known Polish violinist. At the age of eleven Halinka played the A Major Mozart Piano concerto with orchestra. She went on to have an illustrious career in piano and singing. A distinguished artist born in Australia.6 pages A4Typed and some with handwritten notes in red, blue and black biro

Lil was born in Long Gully, Bendigo in 1904 daughter of Herbert Charles Leopold Willaton and Lillie Jenkins. She had 3 brothers and 3 sisters, one brother dying in infancy. The family lived in Lille Street, Surrey Hills. Both her parents and one sister died in Surrey Hills. In the 1920s Lil gained her A.L.C.M. (Australian London College of Music) in singing and made a career of teaching gymnastics with calisthenics, rhythmic movement etc. She arranged the music and lyrics for items and also designed the costumes, as well as conducting the physical training which culminated in annual concerts held in Box Hill and other town halls. Lil married Leslie Reginald Stephenson in 1934 and they lived at 36 Union Road, Surrey Hills. She died in July 1995 and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-126-0001. A black and white photograph of a young lady sitting in a lounge chair.(miss) lil willaton, (mrs) lil stephenson, entertainer, singers, teacher, gymnastics, calesthenics, (miss) lille louisa willaton, (mrs) lille louisa stephenson, box hill cemetery), lille street, union road

Lil was born in Long Gully, Bendigo in 1904 daughter of Herbert Charles Leopold Willaton and Lillie Jenkins. She had 3 brothers and 3 sisters, one brother dying in infancy. The family lived in Lille Street, Surrey Hills. Both her parents and one sister died in Surrey Hills. In the 1920s Lil gained her A.L.C.M. (Australian London College of Music) in singing and made a career of teaching gymnastics with calisthenics, rhythmic movement etc. She arranged the music and lyrics for items and also designed the costumes, as well as conducting the physical training which culminated in annual concerts held in Box Hill and other town halls. Lil married Leslie Reginald Stephenson in 1934 and they lived at 36 Union Road, Surrey Hills. She died in July 1995 and is buried in Buried Box Hill Cemetery - CE-126-0001. A black and white photograph of a young lady dressed in a graduation gown and wearing a mortarboard on her head.(miss) lil willaton, (mrs) lil stephenson, entertainers, singers, gymnastics, calesthenics, teacher, lille street, union road, (miss) lille louisa willaton, (mrs) lille louisa stephenson, box hill cemetery

Mr Joseph Sutton Crow and his wife Jessie (nee Temby) at their marriage in 1910. Sutton became Director of the University Conservatorium, was deeply involved in the musical life of Melbourne and managed concert parties travelling to country towns. Jessie was a soloist, singing, in the early days, at the concerts with visiting and local artists, such as flautist John Amadio. They made their home at ‘Strathmore’, 75 Victoria Crescent, Mont Albert. The donor was their daughter, Winifred Jean Crow.A black and white photograph of a couple dressed in their wedding attire. The bride (standing) is wearing a floor length dress and veil. She has flowers in her hair and is carrying a large bouquet of flowers. The groom (seated) is wearing a coat, with a waistcoat and tie and is carrying a top hat.(mr) joseph sutton crow, (mrs) jessie crow, (miss) jessie temby, conservatorium of music, house names, victoria crescent, mont albert, (mr) john amadio, 'strathmore', opera singer, (miss) winifred jessie temby, (mrs) winifred jessie crow

Miss Lillie Louisa (Lil) Willaton, and her callisthenics students in 1930s celebrating during competitions in Ballarat in which they were successful. Lil held weekly classes in Surrey Hills, Box Hill and nearby suburbs for a number of decades. Students include Nancy Scott, Nancy Hayes, Sylvia McGill and Vera Willaton. Lil was born in Long Gully, Bendigo in 1904 daughter of Herbert Charles Leopold Willaton and Lillie Jenkins. She had 3 brothers and 3 sisters, one brother dying in infancy. The family lived in Lille Street, Surrey Hills. Both her parents and one sister died in Surrey Hills. In the 1920s Lil gained her A.L.C.M. (Australian London College of Music) in singing and made a career of teaching gymnastics with calisthenics, rhythmic movement etc. She arranged the music and lyrics for items and also designed the costumes, as well as conducting the physical training which culminated in annual concerts held in Box Hill and other town halls. Lil married Leslie Reginald Stephenson in 1934 and they lived at 36 Union Road, Surrey Hills. She died in July 1995 and is buried in Buried Box Hill Cemetery - CE-126-0001. A black and white photograph of a group of girls posing for a photograph around a monument. They are all dressed in similar clothing of light coloured skirts / shorts and shirt, and wearing hats. The lady in the centre is wearing a darker coloured suit.(miss) lil willaton, callisthenics, (ms) nancy scott, (ms) nancy hayes, (ms) sylvia mcgill, (ms) vera willaton, (miss) lille louisa willaton, (mrs) lille louisa stephenson, (mrs) lil stephenson, teacher, gymnastics, box hill cemetery, lille street, union road

The Golden King Mine poppet-head stands at the school’s Yan Yean Road exit gate. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p23 Early Yarambat - Tanck's Corner Its early settlers, who in the 1840s were amongst the first non-Aboriginal people in the area, found life tough as they grazed their sheep and cattle. Yarrambat was then known as Tanck’s Corner or Reynolds Corner, after wood carter, Frederick Tanck, who owned land north of Ironbark Road, at the corner of Yan Yean Road, and Thomas Reynolds, owner of the opposite property. After Reynolds sold his land, the corner became known as Tanck’s Corner. In 1929 the district’s name was changed to Yarrambat, believed to mean ‘high hill’ in the Wurundjeri language. Tanck’s Corner was in the centre of gold-bearing country and the district is honeycombed with old tunnels and shafts. However although gold played a dominant role for decades, there was insufficient to develop a substantial township. Meat and agricultural produce made a greater impact. Until the mid-20th century the only substantial building was the primary school. The first gold rush occurred around 1860, the second after 1900; then during the Depression, the Government paid men to pan for gold. The first rush attracted hundreds of Chinese people to Smugglers Gully, who constructed round diggings to keep away spirits. Alluvial miners lived along the Plenty River in tents or humpies - some fenced with gardens - and some miners distilled their own ‘plonk’. It was a wild time and bushrangers - and later gangster Squizzy Taylor - were said to hide4 in the old Pioneer Tunnel in Dunne’s Gully between Heard Avenue and Pioneer Road. Mines opposite Tanck’s Corner included Beer’s Line, Golden Crown and Golden Stairs. Some of the big mines had batteries and stampers to process quartz. At first there was plenty of alluvial gold, as much as two ounces to the ton. At times gold was exposed after heavy rains so fossickers panned for gold around orchard irrigation trenches. Gold was mined until 1984 when Yarrambat’s last operating goldmine, the Golden King Mine, in North Oatlands Road, closed. The Clayton family operated it full-time, making a comfortable living and in the 1960s it was the only private family gold mine in Victoria.5 Gold was such an important part of Yarrambat’s history that a gold poppet-head is the Yarrambat Primary School’s logo. The Golden King Mine poppet-head stands at the school’s Yan Yean Road exit gate. However this school was built in 1988. The original school No 2054, at the corner of Ironbark and Yan Yean Roads, was opened in 1878 and modified to its present form in the 1920s. In 2000 it was relocated to the Heritage Museum at Yarrambat Park.7 The school, whose first head teacher was Charles Planner, consisted of one room with a three-roomed residence. The school was also the community centre. On Saturday nights it was crammed for dances or euchre parties, community singing or other social events. On Sundays, services for different denominations took turns each week. However the school had its teething problems. Parents accused Charles Planner of neglecting his duties and the school closed several times. When it closed in 1892, only church services continued. Social activities moved elsewhere, such as the tennis club to the Stuchbery tennis court opposite. A sports day and woodchop on Boxing Day around 1900 was held at the Evelyn Hill Hotel, also called Evelyn Arms and Tunnel Hill Hotel, on the Greensborough–Diamond Creek Road. An annual agricultural show in Diamond Creek paraded through the town, and New Year’s Day picnics at the Yan Yean Reservoir included highland dancing and competitions. Also popular were the Indian hawkers who visited every three months, selling trinkets, clothing and other items. One called Jimmy ‘Allem dem Bedi’, gave presents and told stories, played draughts and sold delicious curries he cooked over his camp fire at night.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, golden king mine, tanck's corner, yarrambat primary school