John (Jack ) Donaldson was born in Raywood in 1886 but he was raised in Inglewood. A natural runner he held 6 world records in sprint events from 100 yards to 400 yards. He came second in his first appearance at the Stawell Gift in 1906. He was nicknamed "The Blue Streak" and raced all over the world in official professional races, exhibitions and challenge events. He moved to New York in 1919 where he married Ethel Auer in 1925. He ran a gymnasium in NY but committed suicide in 1933. He is remembered each year with the running of the "Jack Donaldson 200m. handicap " race at the Stawell Gift meeting.Bendigo Advertiser ''the way we were'' from Friday, January 2, 2004. World champion: Inglewood's John Donaldson, better known as Jack, was born in 1886. Although he lacked professional training, Jack skyrocketed to fame as a sprinter. Starting at the Stawell gift, his stride of eight feet, four inches, soon earned him world records for the 150 and 300 yard races; records which stood for nearly 100 years. He died in 1933 at the age of 49. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Walter Lindrum OBE (1898 - 1960) is often considered to be the greatest player ever seen in the sport of billiards, with some 57 world records to his credit. He is often referred to as one of the Australian all-time great sporting heroes along with Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Hubert Opperman. During World War II, he raised over $1 million for charity, mainly through staging nearly 4000 exhibition matches throughout Australia. The full date of the exhibition is not shown on the program but, given that it was held during WWII, it was likely to have been 9 June 1943. It raised money for Our Missions to Seamen and Merchant Navy.Cream paper (discoloured with age) printed in dark blue on both sides and folded in halfwalter lundrum, missions to seamen, merchant navy, wwii fund-raising

Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne Cup, two Cox Plates, an AJC Derby, and 19 other weight for age races.Horse statue of world champion racehorse Phar Lap.horses, animal figures

Eric Rothacker from Bridgewater, represented Australia at the 1964 World Amateur Trotting Drivers championships in Italyworld champion, amateur trotting drivers, eric rothacker, italy

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a poster advertising a recital of the St Hilda's Band on a Saturday and Sunday evening. The poster describes the band as the "world's champion band" winning the award five times.Written in pencil on back -Poster 1934st hilda's band, poster

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a parked 1930's bus. On the far side can be seen a telegraph pole and vegetation. The bus is sign written with 'World's Champion Five Times The Famous St Hildas Band'.Written in pencil on back - Near Hastings, April 1934frank wright, st hildas band, brass band, vintage bus

Yellow laminated card with two photos. The first is World champion pie eater Scott Mackay celebrating his victory with another pie and the second is Rachelle Rayner displaying her diploma from Central Valley High School in northern California. It also mentions her studies at the school.education, primary, golden square laurel st p.s., golden square primary school 1189 collection - newspaper cuttings, scott mackay, gillies, daryl dutton, rachelle rayner

Black and white photograph, 1 woman, photograph of a woman called Fiona Taylor looking at her past achievements on the Young Achiever records. Bendigo Advertiser description on back of photo: Kate 2/6/94 Fiona Taylor - 1993 sports award winner and overall winner of the Young Achiever. WindSwing(witting is difficult here, may be wrong) World Champion - at the launch of the YAAKaterecreations, sports, awards

Page from an album designed for Allen & Ginther collectible cigarette cards. Features place holder for one card (depicting RD Sears). Framed with galss backing to also display back of card. Text on back of card: 'SECOND SERIES/THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONS/ONE PACKED IN EACH BOX OF 20 RICHMOND STRAIGHT CUT NO.1 CIGARETTES'. Materials: Paper, Ink, Glass, Woodtennis

Slide. Bendigo Easter Procession. John Brown, Fashion Award Winner, World of Sport Champions.slide, bendigo, bendigo easter procession., bendigo easter procession.

A Slazenger P.M.instructional racquet, with red and white decoration. Decal on throat on obverse: PM. Instructions feature on base of racquet head, on both sides, and along right side of handle. Inscription along left side: SPECIALLY MADE BY SLAZENGERS IN CONSULTATION WITH FRED PERRY/WORLD CHAMPION, AND DAN MASKELL COACH, ALL ENGLAND CLUB WIMBLEDON. Partly legible decal of retailer features on throat on reverse. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Paint, Ribbon, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ink, Guttennis

A Slazenger P.M.instructional racquet, with blue and white decoration. Decal on throat on obverse features a blue 'S' on a gold disc, with 'SLAZENGERS' below. Inscription at base of stem on obverse: P.M. Insstructions feature on base of racquet head, on both sides, and along right side of handle. Inscription along left side: SPECIALLY MADE BY SLAZENGER IN CONSULTATION WITH WORLD CHAMPION/FRED PER[RY A]ND L.T.A. TRAINING MANAGER DAN MASKELL. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Paint, Ribbon, Leather, Adhesive tape, Ink, Guttennis

Schuss was advertised as Victoria’s Official Ski Journal It was issued monthly from 1935 to 1961 except during the war when summer issues covered two months. This continued after the war, but it averaged 10 issues annually over its 25 year life. Schuss was published by the Ski Club of Victoria which had a membership of 38 Ski Clubs and demanded to be recognised as the prime authority on skiing in the state. The other 30 ski clubs with 85% of the members disagreed and the politics of skiing became heated. These clubs formed the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs with their own journal, Ski Horizon. With the establishment of the Victorian Ski Association, Ski-Horizon published its last issue in Nov - Dec. 1955 and the role of the official journal was fully taken over by “Schuss”. This item is significant because it contains stories, images and information documenting the development of the ski industry in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. The cover features a photo of Charles Bozon in a happy mood at Mt Buller as he balances on the toe of one ski supported by ski poles. The photo was courtesy of Eric Burt. Charles Bozon Jr. (15 December 1932 – 7 July 1964) was an alpine ski racer and world champion from France. On page 32 a brief item reports of the success of "Leaping Lena" and the addition of another tractor by Bob Hymans capable of hauling 30 passengers and their luggage.schuss journal, the ski club of victoria, "leaping lena", bob hymans

Photograph shows the finish of the University of Ballarat Arthur Postle Handicap Race at Stawell. The names and placings are indicated with the photograph. Born on March 8, 1881, at Pittsworth on the Darling Downs, Queensland, Postle was crowned the world’s fastest man in 1906 and won the 220 Yard World Champion Cup in 1909. Coloured photograph framed in dark brown folderTyped slip attached with names of competitors, placings and time of event arthur postle, handicap race, stawell, university of ballarat, h brycki, r smith, e evelyn, a smith, j noble, k mcguigan, s baird, j macgibbon

Shield prepared for the senior road aggregate races for the Geelong West Cycling Club which then became the Geelong Cycling Club. The 2005 winner - Leigh Howard, was a professional rider with Team Colombia in 2010 and is currently on the pro tour with Orica Green Edge (commencing 2012). He was the World Omnium Champion in 2009, and World Madison Champion 2010 and 2011.This shield records the cyclists who were high achievers in the Geelong region.A mahogany coloured wooden shield with brass plated plaques containing inscriptions of winners of the senior road aggregate of the Geelong West Cycling Club during the years 1998-2002. There is an emblem of a cyclist and a banner at the top centre of the shield."Geelong West Cycling Club/1998/Geoff Robertson/1999/Jason Sterling/2000/Geoff Robertson/2001/Geoff Robertson/2002/Geoff Robertson/2003/James Stewart/2004/Daryl Suter/2005/L. Howard/G.Mathieson"geelong west cycling club; geoff robertson; jason sterling; james stewart; daryl suter; l. howard; g. mathieson;

First Love is a feature film length surf film that tells the story of three young female surfers. The film follows the lives of Jess, Nikki and India as they follow their passion for surfing growing up together and competing against one another. Surfing brings the girls together but they are all different in their own way. The film culminates in a surf trip to Hawaii where they meet a number of professional female surfers. The film also features surfers Stephanie Gilmore (world champion), Alana Blanchard and Bethany Hamilton. First Love was produced by an all female creative team and officially launched at the Surf World Museum Torquay on 4th April 2010. The film had its festival debut at the DUNGOG FILM FESTIVAL in May 2010 and its international debut at the HAWAIIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL in October 2010. First Love is the first surf feature film shot in Australia with an all female cast/crew. The film had a national theatrical release across Australia on February 14th, 2011.Full colour film poster for the surf film FIRST LOVE. The poster features a long shot of the main surfers in the film, Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk, and India Payne walking along a country road towards the camera carrying their surfboards and wetsuits.Film title, sponsors logos, film makers credits and touring dates for the Autumn 2010 tour of the film.phillip island, surf film, first love, jess laing, nikki van dijk, india payne, stephanie gilmore, bethany hamilton, liquid pictures production, fran derham, clare plueckhahn, claire gormon, rip curl pro

World surfing champion Kelly Slater won a record 4th Bells Beach Surfing Contest in April 2010. He promptly donated his Bell trophy to the Aboriginal people of Geelong and the Surf Coast in appreciation of their support over the years.National and international significance from a sporting and cultural reconciliation perspective. Only two surfers have won 4 Bells contests. Slater's donation of his 4th Bell to the local Indigenous community is a rare act of reconciliation and personal generosity.Feature newspaper article by Kyle Pollard in the Geeelong Advertiser on 6th May 2010. Includes colour photograph of Kelly Slater being 'painted up' by Aboriginal dancer at Bells Beach.bells beach, kelly slater, reconciliation, 2010 rip curl pro, wathaurong aboriginal cooperative, bells trophy

This poster was produced to promote the richest women's surfing event in the world, the Havaianas Beachley Classic held at Manly Beach, Sydney in October 2006. The contest is unique in that it is organised by 7 times world surfing champion Layne Beachley from Sydney Australia.The 2006 Havaianas Beachley Classic was the only surfing event on the World Championship Tour organised by a professional surfer still competing. Layne Beachley was defeated in the final by young Australian female surfer Stephanie Gilmore. Stephanie Gilmore set a number of records winning this event including the amount of prizemoney she took home and the fact she is the only individual to win 2 ASP World tour events competing as a wild card entrant.Surf Contest, full colour, A2 poster promoting the 2006 Havaianas Beachley Classic at Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia from October 9-15th. The poster festures a red Havaianas thong floating in the water.Sponsors logos - Havaiana, Beachley Foundation, ASP, Sydneylayne beachley, stephanie gilmore, havaianas, manly beach, havaianas beachley classic

This wetsuit was worn by surfer and 2000 world champion, Sunny Garcia (Haw), It was cut off Sunny when he collapsed on the beach during his heat of the 2004 Rip Curl Pro event at Bells Beach. As the Age reported at the time: "One who left the water in unhappier circumstances was three-time Rip Curl Pro winner Sunny Garcia, who forfeited his heat with American Taylor Knox because of a migraine-like condition that saw him taken to Geelong Hospital for tests. Garcia, who was leading the heat, rode in with nine minutes remaining and appeared to collapse on the beach, holding his head in his hands." This wetsuit was worn during the prestigious Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach. It is a rare artefect from a major medical emergency at a world professional surfing contest.Sunny Garcia's wetsuit. Torn Hotline wetsuit, full length 3/2 steamer. Wetsuit is cut and torn.Hotline Wetsuits, Santa Cruz, Calif, Superflex 3/2 modelrip curl pro, wetsuit, sunny garcia, hotline, torn, collapse

Len Lukey was a Victorian Racing Car Driver in the 1950s & 1960s and established his Car Exhaust Muffler business in his backyard in Highett c 1970. In 1964 he purchased the site and then developed and operated the Phillip Island Car Racing Track until his death 1978. He designed the Lukey Racing Car Museum and Gardens at that site. The 1959 Australian Drivers Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Formula Libre cars. The championship winner was awarded the 1959 CAMS Gold Star. The series was won by Victorian racer Len Lukey driving his Cooper T45 Climax and in the opening round of the series his own much modified Cooper T23 which was known as the Lukey-Bristol. Lukey was one of only a few drivers who attempted to complete the gruelling twelve race schedule, the longest in ADC history. Lukey finished just two points ahead of his season long rival, Alec Mildren from the ACT [1] (Cooper-Climax). Stan Jones, the father of F1 World Champion Alan Jones, was third in the championship, using four different cars over the course of the series. Race victories were shared around with Mildren taking three wins. Lukey, Jones and Bill Patterson each took two wins, with single victories going to Jack Brabham, Bib Stillwell and New Zealand Maserati 250F racer Ross Jensen. Jack Brabham later became F1 World Champion 3 times. A steel bottle opener with engraved advertising for Lukey Mufflers Pty Ltd HighettAlong Shaft : LUKEY MUFFLERS / HIGHETT VICTORIA / XL 3641car part manufacturers, lukey mufflers pty ltd, highett, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, bottle openers, steel manufacturer, brabham jack, formula one grand prix champions, jones alan, phillip island car racing track.

The Australian Surfers Journal was based on The Surfers Journal (USA) and ran for 2 years. This issue contains feature articles on world surfing champion Nat Young, iconic surf destination Tahiti, Kneeboarders and Victorian based surfing artist/musician Jeff Raglus.The Australian Surfers Journal is an iconic Australian surfing magazine which enjoyed a positive reponse from the Australian surfing community during the 1990's. It's feature articles, photographs and editorials were of a high literary standard by world standards.Australian Surfers Journal (Volume One, Number Four, Spring 1998), A4 full colour gloss magazine with cover headings about articles on Nat Young, Tahiti, Kneeboarders and Jeff Raglus. Close up of surfer (Patterson) on backlit aqua wave.Gold cover art featuring Colour photograph (Paul Paterson in Western Australia. Image by Jon Franknat young, australian surfers journal, tahiti, kneeboarders, jeff raglus, drew kampion, gerry lopez, makaha, albert falzon, steven valiere, jason foster

Monument to Jack Donaldson at Central Park Stawell.Erected by Public Subscription To the Memory of Jack Donaldson Worlds Professional Sprint Champion Runner. Born Raywoord (Vic) 15 March 1886. Died New York U.S.A. 5 August 1955 monuments

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

Coloured photograph, boxing, coloured photograph of WBC WORLD LIGHT-HEAVY WEIGHT CHAMPION Jeff Harding posing for the camera, sponsored by GOOD YEAR at the bottom of the page, photograph is also signed by Jeff himself, April 1990. Bendigo Advertiser description on back of photo: Jeff Haring April 1990

National significance. Presented as souvenir by Commodore Mr Andrew M. Cannon AM, of the Australian Yacht Squadron. Date of presentation unknown but commemorates America's Cup victory of Australia II in 1982. Commodore Dacre Smyth, who designed and presented the Naval windows in the MTSV chapel , was also a member of the Squadron. The burgee was designed by Nigel Abbott, twice world sailing champion and graphic designer. The burgee design features the Commonwealth Star in the corner, the A for Australia and the nautical colours of Royal blue – as per the Oxford Concise Dictionary – red and white.A link and souvenir with a significant event in the life of yachtsmen and for the City of Perth and Australia in 1982. The first time in many years that the USA lost this coveted cup and contest.Mounted triangular pennant style Australian Yacht Squadron flag also known in yachting circles as a burgee. Red, white and blue colours with white star in the middle and Red 'A' on top left. Gilded wooden frame with glazing with three window label inserts. Mount includes at lower right a souvenir green rectangular piece of the Australia II Spinnaker used to win the America's Cup in 1982. Sticker on back of frame has framers details.'Commodore Andrew M. Cannon' 'From the Commodore of the Australian Yacht Squadron, Andrew Cannon, To the Mission to Seafarers' 'Piece of Australia II Spinnaker Used to win the America's Cup' australian yacht squadron, andrew m. cannon, commodore, 1982, america's cup, burgee, australia ii, commodore dacre smyth (1923-2008), pennant

Demonstrates how advertising was done within W class tramcars - boxes of the driver's door and yields information about the Hardie Ace Sport shoes. Has an association with Ken Rosewall, tennis champion of the era.Poster advertising Hardie Ace sports shoes. Thought to date from the late 1960's possibly when the trams were withdrawn. "The International Choice, Hardie Ace Sports shoes, Chosen by Ken Rosewall, World Professional Tennis Champion." Has a drawing of Ken? in the poster. Were located in the end advertising panels over the doors of W3 661 and used a base for historical photographs of 661 in Melbourne (See Reg Item 4692 and 4693) until replaced during 2009, when collected. Wikipedia re Ken Rosewall - tennis champion during the 1960's.trams, tramways, advertisements, posters, w class trams

Russell Mockridge b1928 d1958 was described 'as the greatest cyclist of all time'. He died during a race in collision with a bus that also claimed the lives of two fellow riders and a spectator. Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40km with the Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. His wins soon earned him the nickname of the Geelong Flyer. He represented Australia at the London Olympic Games in 1948 and the Helsinki Games in 1952. He also represented Australia in the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland where he took gold in the 1000 sprint and the 1000m time trial and silver in the 4000m pursuit. In Paris 1952 he won the Amateur Grand Prix and the following day the Open Grand Prix, beating world professional champion Reg Harris. Later that year he won Manchester Wheelers Club Muratti Cup again beating Reg Harris. He turned professional a year later and teamed with Sid Patterson and Roger Arnold to win the Paris 6 day race in 1955. Mockridge was one of 60 of 150 entrants to finish the 1955 Tour de France. He won 12 consecutive Australian championships. Mockridge was married and had a daughter, Melinda (1955)Russell Mockridge was described 'as the greatest cyclist of all time'. He achieved international notoriety as a cyclist from the mid 1940s until his death in 1958, representing Australia in the Olympic games, the Commonwealth Games, The Tour de France and other international high profile cycling events.Framed print of Russell Mockridge in cycling attire. Head and shoulders depiction. Mockeridge is wearing a leather cycling helmut and white cycling shirt typical of cycling gear of that era. The frame is wooden with gold mount and has a wire hanger on the reverse side.geelong cycling club; geelong amateur cycling club; geelong west cycling club; geelong flyer; russell mockridge; olympic games; tour de france;

Team Red were the original free riders from Falls Creek who focused on freestyle skiing rather than more traditional downhill skiing. They trained to compete in the tough freestyle circuit. Over the years members have included: Eric Hymans, twice Australian Mogul Champion: Lyn Gross, Australian Aerial Champion and World Cup finalist; Kate Stevens twice Australian Mogul Champion; Kent Dowding. Australian Mogul Champion: Steven Lee, Australian Champion and Olympian; and Mark Stevens, Australian Mogul Champion Three-time World Cup competitor and coach to the Australian World Cup team along with many others who took on the challenge of freestyle skiing.This jacket is significant because it is representative of all those who took on the challenge of freestyle skiing at Falls Creek and on the World Circuit.A red ski jacket with a floral design across the middle and black lining.On back and front EST 1980. TEAM RED FALLS CREEKfalls creek ski school, falls creek race club, race club

The Rob Roy Hill Climb originated in 1935 on the property of former Heidelberg Mayor, William Clinton, where he reared the Rob Roy breed of miniature ponies. He established Pleasure Grounds on part of the property attracting groups of Sunday visitors from Melbourne's inner suburbs. Visitors enjoyed a picnic area, pony rides, a dance hall and a tap room. Young men would ride their BSA or Harley Davidson motorcycles to the property which led to regular club-organised hillclimb meetings between 1930 and 1936. In 1935 Clinton offered the use of his property to the Light Car Club of Australia for their hillclimbs. The track was sealed that same year and the hillclimb at Clintons Road was one of only three specially designed bitumen surface hillclimbs in the world, the others being Shelsey Walsh and Prescott Hillclimbs in the UK. The first Light Car Club of Australia hillclimb was held at Rob Roy in February 1937. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p133 About six times a year the unlikely sound of car engines emerges from deep in the heart of Christmas Hills.* Usually a quiet retreat, the Hills are home to one of the world’s oldest purpose-built motor sport venues - the Rob Roy Hillclimb. When sealed in 1939, the hillclimb at Clintons Road was one of only three specially designed bitumen surface hillclimbs in the world, the others being Shelsley Walsh and Prescott Hillclimbs in the UK.1 The Rob Roy Hillclimb originated in 1935 on the property of former Heidelberg mayor, William Clinton, where he reared the Rob Roy breed of miniature ponies. Rob Roy was the Scottish folk hero and outlaw. On part of his property Clinton established Pleasure Grounds, attracting Sunday parties from Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Visitors enjoyed a picnic area, pony rides, a dance hall and a tap room.2 Young men riding on their BSA or Harley Davidson bikes led to club-organised regular hillclimb meetings, between 1930 and 1936. In 1935 Clinton offered his property to the Light Car Club of Australia for their hillclimbs. In February 1937, the first Light Car Club of Australia hillclimb meeting was held at Rob Roy. Jack Day achieved the fastest time that day for the 760 yard (695m) track at 36 seconds in a Ford V8 engined Bugatti Special. At first the climb was just a dusty gravel track, but in 1939 it was up-graded and bituminised. Today the 695 metre track begins on a slight incline, proceeds through a sharp right turn, which formerly passed a rusty iron shed, now remembered by the name Tin Shed Corner. The track continues down a slight incline to a level stretch along the top of an embankment holding back a half-acre (0.2ha) dam, then up to a one-in-three gradient. The track then winds uphill through several left turns to the finish line. In 1939 Frank Kleinig reduced the record to 29.72 seconds in an MG Hudson. Throughout World War Two the Rob Roy Hillclimbs were suspended, but were resumed in 1947. The hillclimbs consistently attracted crowds averaging 500 to 600 people, peaking at 2000, until the hillclimb was destroyed by the 1962 bushfires. The meetings included nine Australian Hillclimb Championships, with the first in 1938 won by Peter Whitehead in his ERA. Eight of the Outright and Class record holders were Australian Grand Prix winners including Jack Brabham, who became a triple F1 World Champion. The Light Car Club of Australia held 61 meetings at Rob Roy. Events usually included Touring, Gran Turismo, Production, Sports, Racing and Vintage cars and in the latter years Go-carts. These meets suddenly stopped after the 1962 bushfire destroyed the access bridge on the property leading to the track area, although fortunately Clinton saved his home. The club then established the Lakeland Hillclimb venue close to Lilydale.3 From 1979 to 1987 the MG Car Club ran hill climbs at the Templestowe Hillclimb until the land was to be sub-divided. In 1991 the MGCC approached the Shire of Nillumbik about using the derelict Rob Roy venue. In 1992, after much lobbying, the club signed a ten-year lease from Melbourne Water, which has been renewed. The original track was faithfully reconstructed. Access roads were improved and guard rails were installed on the causeway. Permanent structures were rebuilt and tonnes of rubbish removed. This was made possible by an immense amount of voluntary work by MGCC members and financial support from the newly formed Friends of Rob Roy. In February 1993 the first Return to Rob Roy Historic Meeting was run with a huge spectator attendance of around 1000 enthusiasts. In September 2007, the Nillumbik Shire Council gave the hillclimb heritage protection. This acknowledged the property’s significant contribution to early Australian motor sport with its social connection to William Clinton and the local community.4 *Christmas Hills was named after emancipated convict and shepherd David Christmas, lost in these hills.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, rob roy hill climb, clintons road, light car club of australia, william clinton