Towong Hill Homestead is a 110-year-old Federation style mansion situated on a rock outcrop, with views of about 260 degrees. It was built over 2 years by grazier Walter Mitchell from bricks made from local clay dug from the river bank, to be the family home for his new bride Winifred. They established their home in 1904. After the death of Walter in 1917, Winifred relocated her family, but the homestead remained in the families hands. In 1935, Thomas Mitchell (1906-1984) returned home to Australia, a successful Lawyer, and married city girl, Elyne Chauvel, and settled himself back at his childhood home, Towong Hill. Thomas was a world champion slalom skier, had been a prisoner of the Japanese at Changi, and was elected for the Country Party in 1946 and served as attorney-general in the McDonald government. His wife Elayne (1913-2002) is best remembered for her Silver Brumby series of novels for children. But Elyne also wrote a substantial number of non-fiction works about the Snowy Mountains. Photographs demonstrate local Kiewa Valley residents enjoying a community visit to the historic homestead at Towong Hill which holds significance to the early history of the area. Also demonstrates a pictorial history of social activities undertaken during this period2 black and white photographs mounted on buff card. Kiewa Valley residents attending afternoon tea at Towong HillHandwritten in black pen underneath photo - T.W.Mitchell Towong Hill. Afternoon Teat w mitchell, towong hill, kiewa valley

This photograph was taken in early stages of development of Museum at Buna Barracks. Museum was officially opened 1 May 1988.Colour photograph of group of guests at 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Museum, Buna Barracks 28 February 1982. Three ladies and four gentlemen, one in uniform." Mrs. M. Hough, Mr. Don Campbell Museum Committee, Lt. Col M Hough, The Hon TW Mitchell CMG " Towong Hill ", Mrs. Elyne Mitchell noted Authoress, daughter of Sir Harry Chauvel, Guests at Museum, 8/13 Open Day Buna Barracks, 28 February 1982.

Born: St Kilda, Victoria, Australia 1864; Lived and worked: England and France 1884-1933; Died: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1947ModernismLedger Gift, 1977Open rural landscape with large bare hill, building, trees and fences under a grey sky. Gold brushed timber frame.Recto: Signed "RB" in square in black oil in l.r.c of composition; Not dated; Not titledpainting, landscape, hills, house, trees, clouds