Document. Various legal papers. 1 - 1897 - Summons to Benjamin Aarons, City Club Hotel, Bendigo, for debts. 2 - Re Mayberry & Wright & Twigg. Damaged letter signed Wright, James and Rolfe, Octavius Mills. Mentions Raltray George W, Miner of Kangaroo Flat. 3 - 1895 - Canning V Davidson. Blank blue sheet.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, aarons benjamin, city club hotel, mayberry, wright james, twigg, rolfe, octavius mills, raltray george w, canning, davidson.

Document. Various legal papers. 1 - 1895 - Summons to Smith Owen for debts and letter dated 1903 from Victoria Police (Const A J Zepaye?) to recover debts. 2 - 1897 - Summons to Spark Anna for debts. Anna Spark of Arcade Hotel, Hargreaves St., Bendigo. 3 - 1896 - Summons to Wright James and Mayberry E, Miners of (Marong) to recover debts. 4 - 1896 - Summons to Brown Honora of Retreat Road, Back Creek, Bendigo to recover debts. 5 - 1896 - Summons to Veitch Walter, Saddler (Echuca) to recover debts. 6 -1895 - Summons to Mungoran Patrick, State School Teacher (Creswick) for debts. 7 - 1896 - Summons to Wills of Sparrowhawk, Long Gully, for debts. 8 -1896 - Summons to Wright James & Mayberry E for debts. 9 - 1896 - Summons to Koppel Kay May (Ironbark) formerly Hotel keeper for debts. Contains handwritten letter by May. 10 - 1896 - Koppel Kay May. Summons and account of monies owed. 11 - 1895 - Butler Mrs E and Levy Mrs H (Portsea). Account of monies owed. 12 - 1896 - Summons to Foley John, Hargreaves St East, Bendigo for debts. Also account of monies owed. 13 - 1896 - Summons to Wood J W (Marong) for debts. Handwritten damaged letter by J W Wood. 14 - 1896 - Summons to Adair W T, Farmer (Mologa) for debts. 15 - 1896 - Summons to Killyer C, Burrowes Street, Golden Square for debts. Handwritten damaged letter from C Killyer.cottage, miners, connelly, tatchell & dunlop, spark anna, arcade hotel, wright james, mayberry e, brown honora veitch walter, mungoran patrick, wills, koppel kay may, butler mrs e, levy mrs h, foley john, wood j w, adair w t, killyer c

On November 11, 1997 the TDK Australian Audio Book Awards were presented at the National Library in Canberra. Louis Braille Books won the Trish Trinick Prize for the Best Narrator with "The Fiftieth Gate" by Mark Raphael Baker, narrated by James Wright. In these images James Wright stands in the middle of a group, with Elizabeth Jolley to his left and Michelle Torres to the right. In another image, James Wright holds the award with producer Elizabeth Wood.5 photographs of people at award ceremony (2 black and white, 2 colour)TDK Awards NLA (Copyright) Andrew S Long Date 11.11.97 Film No NL 38315 For 5th image (ibid) except: Louis Seseljalouis braille audio, james wright, elizabeth jolley, michelle torres, elizabeth woods, awards

From left to right: unknown person, Reg Lunn, and James Logan Wright victorian scottish regiment, reg lunn, james wright

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1992, the award was won by Arnold Zable for his book 'Jewels and Ashes. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to James Wright for the audio version of the same book. Presentations were made by Trevor Hay, James Wright and Arnold Zable. 4 colour photographs, 4 black and white and 1 proof sheet of negativesawards, braille & talking book library, trevor hay, james wright, arnold zable, book of the year

84 pages; Photos. Index.This book gives a brief description of tramways around the world before focussing on Box Hill-Doncaster's very own. The tramway - the first electric one in the Southern Hemisphere - operated from 1889-1896. It ran from Whitehorse Road along Station Street north to Doncaster Road Intersection. arnot> arthur, draper> thomas, laurie> david, meader> william, masters> william, serpell> richard, glassford> matthew, aspinall> joseph w., cockcroft> george, collier> samuel, ellingworth> william, inglis> john, mcmurdie> f.a., padgham> silas, rawlings> alfred, serpell> alfred, wright> george, wright> james, wright> john, wright> william edward, lauer> a.c.h., transport, tram services, station street, box hill, elgar road, doncaster, doncaster road, box hill and doncaster tramway company

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1998, the award was won by 'The Fiftieth Gate" by Mark Baker. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to James Wright for the audio version of the same book. To celebrate the 25th anniversary, the ceremony was held at the Victorian Arts Centre and the MC was Rod Quantock.51 colour photographs of the eventawards, association for the blind, rose blustein, book of the year, elizabeth woods, rod quantock, rebecca macauley, stephen pease, david tredinnick, james wright, john bryson, stanley mcgeagh, jeffrey hodgson, lise rodgers, deidre rubenstein, beverley dunn, george zamanis, caroline lee, glen morrow, louise zalay, frances keyland, pauline meaney, mieke mellers, robert de graauw, stella zamanis, carmela carey, peter walsh, justin bates, kate hosking, rita kryshkovsky, mark raphael baker, bib stillwell, melissa eccleston, pamela morrow, gary argent, emma pritchard, kerry poyser, liana fonti, michael rush

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1993, the award was won by Ruth Park for her book 'A Fence Around a Cuckoo'. The award was accepted by her literary agent Tim Curnow. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to Irini Pappas for the audio version of 'Put Your Whole Self In', a story about the Northcote Self Group Hydrotherapy and Massage group, by Meme McDonald, which also won 'Audio Book of the Year'. Presentations were made by Arnold Zable, Lorna Hayter, Meme McDonald, James Wright and Jeremy Wurm. 25 colour photographs, 4 black and white, 1 single negative (behind P1540.13) and 7 strips of negativeawards, braille & talking book library, james wright, arnold zable, lorna hayter, meme mcdonald, jeffrey hodgson, paul karo, rose blustein, irini pappas, jeremy wurm, michael carman, eileen larkin, iris wileman, elsie warren, beryl grover, ida dolinko, estelle cother, peggy stenboig, marjorie oke, ada handyside, sheila baldwin, joyce spokes, stanley mcgeagh, maggie millar, book of the year

James Hossack and his wife, Penuel, arrived in Geelong from Scotland on Christmas Day 1852. This album contains photographs of the Saunders family; Gertrude Morris, sister of Percy Morris; Isabella Wright; the Whillance family; Mrs Stevens; Mrs Conlan of Marlo;and her sister Susanna who died aged 62 in 1918; Bella Turnbull, wife of Captain McNeill of Marlo;Hon. James Cameron, First President of the Orbost Shire, M.L.A. East Gippsland 1902-1920.This item is a pictorial record of many Orbost locals of the first quarter of the 20th century.A large photograph album with a deep purple ornate cover. It contains photographs of local people with most labelled.inside- "Best love to Lucy from Fred & Daisy Christmas 1913" On front page on white label - " The unnamed photos belonged to Mr James Hossack - March 1821 to January 1921. They are from Scotland, Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne. She landed at Geelong 1853 with her husband."photograph-album whillance saunders morris wright conlan cameron-james

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1997, the award was won by 'The Solitude of Illusions' by Adib Khan. The Bathurst Award for Narrator of the Year award went to Bruce Kerr for the audio version of "The Drowner". 37 colour photographs of the event plus negativesawards, association for the blind, rose blustein, book of the year, robert dessaix, lise rodgers, stanley mcgeagh, bruce kerr, anne haddy, adib khan, pauline meaney, karl hughes, jeffrey hodgson, james wright, louise zalay, robert de graauw, marj west, roberta ashby, james condon, robert menzies, cate milte, alison forbes, joy mitchell, yvette baptist, don bridges, liana fonti, stephanie daniel, rita kryshkovsky, rae foster, michael rush

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: celebration of Alice McClelland's 88th birthday (and 58th year at the library), the first time a book of poetry has won the Braille Book of the Year award, movement of 30,000 Braille volumes into Braille Hall due to the need to expand the audio collection, increased government funding as restrictions on lending to visually impaired are extending to those with physical or perceptive inabilities to read standard print, report identifying the need for more audio production facilities and possibility of establishing more studios in Geelong, retirement of E. Webb, C. Griffin, Elizabeth Fraser, Ray Hannah, Dudley Sherlock and appointment of Norma Brumley, David Hume, Dr Simon Haskell and David Blyth.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual report, braille and talking book library, alice mcclelland, hector bathurst, bruce dawe, jocelyn terry, jan smark, james wright, book of the year, janene morrison, w.a. borthwick

Audio version of the 2012 Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight official souvenir program1 CD with 17 trackscarols by candlelight, julie houghton, james wright

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: the launch of 'In charge of the mess' cookbook with the Gas & Fuel Corporation of Victoria, fundraising cocktail party at 'Onions' restaurant (opposite the Library), Life Governor's Certificate to Edward Webb, production of Braille VFL and Cricket fixtures, subsidy of 33.33% on production of Braille and audio books, doubling of qualified librarians, continued increase in loans, retirement of staff members Elsa Wiltshire and Charlotte Riley, and committee members Norma Brumley and Dr John Foster, and appointment of Barbara Johnson and John Cockayne.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual report, braille and talking book library, joy kerr, maxene hewitt, david blyth, jo griffiths, arnold bridges, john cockayne, basil pateras, maurice kaminsky, noel de la hunty, maria dupontis, edward j webb, hector bathurst, david wluka, jan smark, merle griffen, karen wigan, chris gahan, helen hall, geoffrey blainey, joyce gaze, book of the year, ruth martin, james wright, elizabeth bond, beverley dunn, janet horn, john bayliss, ken horn, elsa wiltshire

In 1993, as part of the Melbourne Writer's Festival, a tent was set up so that people could come and listen to readings of books shortlisted for the Braille Book and Audio Narrator of the Year at lunchtime. These images show the audience and some selected presenters including Michael Carman. 8 coloured photographs and 7 strips of negativesawards, braille & talking book library, michael carman, james wright, karl hughes, kris benic, adrian beddows, book of the year

Second annual report for the National Information Library Service, which saw the joining of the Vision Australia Foundation library and alternative format production areas join NILS. This report shows the progress towards reducing duplication between state-based services, increasing the variety of Braille, audio and e-text materials and reducing costs, as well as the number of books, loans and materials produced over the year.national information library service, corporation records, alan egerton, ted johnson, kelly thong, tim mitchell, robert de graauw, james wright, john turner, jane evans

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Tuesday,July 27, 2004. Together: the family of James Wright gathered at Diggora West the day of his funeral in 1924. Wright came across from England to settle in the area in 1876. Back row from left: Frederick, Joseph, Arthur, Edward, Cecil, George, Samuel, James. Front row: William, Ruby, Charles, Alice, Alfred.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

To encourage the development of audio books, a series of awards were established by the National Library of Australia in 1988, and sponsored by TDK from 1991 until their demise in 2000. Open to both commercial and non-commercial publishers, it aimed to recognise the quality achievements by individuals and publishing houses and to promote the inclusion of audio books into the mainstream market. After the conclusion, Vision Australia Foundation decided to continue the awards in-house.1 digital imageVision Australia Library Awards 2001 2001 Braille Book of the Year: The Shark Net by Robert Drewe 2001 Sanderson Young Adult Narrator of the Year: David Tredinnick for Max 2001 Sanderson Young Adult Audio Book of the Year: Whistle Man by Brian Ridden 2001 Adult Narrator of the Year: Deidre Rubenstein and James Wright for The Architect 2001 Adult Audio Book of the Year: Conditions of Faith by Alex Millervision australia foundation

The Freedom of Entry to the City on the 26th of October 1990 was an honour first conferred by the Bendigo City Council to the Army Survey Regiment in 1970. This was the fifth time the unit exercised its freedom of marching into the city with swords drawn, bayonets fixed and drums beating. The honour is usually bestowed upon local regiments, in recognition of their dedicated service, and it is common for military units to periodically exercise their freedom by arranging a parade through the city. The event began with a ceremonial parade at the Queen Elizabeth II Oval. The RAAF Central Command Band provided the music at the parade. After formal inspections of the troops, the Army Survey Regiment saluted as it marched past the Reviewing Officer - Mayor of Bendigo Councillor James Douglass, military dignitaries and guests. Led by the Regiment’s CO – LTCOL Rene van den Tol, the unit marched down View St, along Pall Mall and to Gaol Rd. Regiment members were treated to a civic reception at the City Hall after the ceremony. The Regiment also exercised its Freedom of Entry with anniversary parades in 1977, 1980, 1985, 1992 and 1996. See items 9124.28P and 9126.24P for additional sets of photos taken at the event. The formal booklet covering the event is catalogued under item 9123.This set of 54 photographs of the Army Survey Regiment were taken at the Freedom of Entry parade, held at the City of Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) on the 26th of October 1990. The colour photographs are on 35mm negative film and scanned at 2400 dpi. They are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. .1) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment marches on to the QEO. .2) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment formed up at the start of the parade. .3) & .4) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron fixes bayonets. Centre rank: LCPL Damien Cole, remainder unidentified. Rear rank R to L: CPL Peter Swandale, SPR Andrew Arman, remainder unidentified. SSM WO1 Bill Jones at far right. .5) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment await the order to take posts. .6) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment standing at ease await the arrival of the Parade Host. .7) - Photo, colour, 1990. Arrival of the Parade Host - D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE. L to R: CPL Mick McConnell, CPL Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley, unidentified. .8) - Photo, colour, 1990. The Parade Host - D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE and MAJ John South at his right returns the Regiment’s salute. .9) - Photo, colour, 1990. Arrival of dignitaries: L to R: CPL Mick McConnell, City of Bendigo Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, CPL Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley, unidentified. .10) - Photo, colour, 1990. Arrival of dignitaries: L to R: CPL Mick McConnell, Chief Superintendent F. Fox (presumed), unidentified, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE, CPL Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley, unidentified. .11) - Photo, colour, 1990. Arrival of dignitaries: L to R: CPL Mick McConnell, Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD, unidentified padre, CPL Warren ‘Waldo’ Shirley, unidentified, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE. .12) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: City of Bendigo Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton view the parade from the dias. .13) - Photo, colour, 1990. CO of the Army Survey Regiment greets the parade dignitaries. L to R: CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE, City of Bendigo Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton. .14) - Photo, colour, 1990. Headquarters Squadron inspection L to R: CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, 2nd from right SGT Brendan McKinless, supernumerary WO2 Steve Hansen in background, remainder unidentified. .15) - Photo, colour, 1990. Unidentified squadron inspection L to R: D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol. .16) - Photo, colour, 1990. Air Survey Squadron inspection L to R: unidentified, SSGT Bob Garritty, CPL Craig Kellet, CPL Raelene (Munting) Brodie, unidentified, SPR Jodi Seath, remainder ranks unidentified, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol. .17) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron inspection L to R: CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol, SGT Brian Paul, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, SGT Steve Burke, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE. .18) - Photo, colour, 1990. The official party pass behind Headquarters Squadron and head towards the RAAF Central Command Band. L to R: Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE. .19) - Photo, colour, 1990. RAAF Central Command Band inspection L to R: Deputy Music Director Flying Officer S. Wright, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, remainder unidentified. .20) - Photo, colour, 1990. RAAF Central Command Band inspection L to R: Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Deputy Music Director Flying Officer S. Wright, Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, remainder unidentified. .21) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Neil Taylor performs left form in slow time. .22) - Photo, colour, 1990. RAAF Central Command Band performs drill manoeuvre. .23) - Photo, colour, 1990. Air Survey Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Peter Clark performs left form. .24) - Photo, colour, 1990. Headquarters Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Ray Redman marches forward in slow time. .25) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment in formation commanded by CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol advances in slow time. 2IC MAJ Duncan Burns at left. MAJ Bob Williams at right. .26) - Photo, colour, 1990. Air Survey 2IC MAJ Duncan Burns at left Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Peter Clark advances in quick time. WO1 Graham Ragless is closest to camera. .27) & .28) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Bob Coote advances before left form. LT Marty Lyons at left. LT Derek Bell at right. .29) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment salutes as it marches past the Reviewing Officer Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton and D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE at the dias. .30) - Photo, colour, 1990. Parade official guests L to R: unidentified, MAJ John South, unidentified (x5), MAJ B.J. Donaldson – US Exchange, unidentified, unidentified padres (x2), Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD. .31) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment salutes as it marches past the dias. .32) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Bob Coote performs left form. .33) - Photo, colour, 1990. Deputy Music Director Flying Officer S. Wright conducts the RAAF Central Command Band. .34) - Photo, colour, 1990. The RAAF Central Command Band performs during the parade. All musicians are unidentified. .35) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Bob Coote marches forward in quick time. .36) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Neil Taylor marches forward in quick time. .37) - Photo, colour, 1990. Lithographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Bob Coote marches forward in quick time. .38) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment salutes as it marches past the dias. .39) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: Reviewing Officer Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, Chief Executive Officer - D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE, Mr. R. J. Burton and at the dias. Parade official guests L to R: unidentified (x2), MAJ John South, unidentified (x5), MAJ B.J. Donaldson – US Exchange, unidentified, unidentified padres (x2), Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD. .40) - Photo, colour, 1990. Army Survey Regiment salutes as it marches past the Reviewing Officer Mayor - Councillor James Douglass, Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton and D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE at the dias. MAJ P.G. Dinwiddie – UK Exchange is seen among the guests. .41) - Photo, colour, 1990. Air Survey Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Peter Clark stands at attention. .42) - Photo, colour, 1990. Headquarters Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Ray Redman stands at ease. 2IC MAJ Duncan Burns at far left. .43) - Photo, colour, 1990. Cartographic Squadron commanded by OC MAJ Neil Taylor stands at ease. CO LTCOL Rene van den Tol in foreground. .44) & .45) - Photo, colour, 1990. The Parade Host: D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE addresses the Parade. .46) - Photo, colour, 1990. The Reviewing Officer: Mayor - Councillor James Douglass addresses the Parade. .47) - Photo, colour, 1990. L to R: City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Reviewing Officer Bendigo Mayor - Councillor James Douglass. .48) - Photo, colour, 1990. Parade official guests Middle row L to R: MAJ P.G. Dinwiddie – UK Exchange, Chief Superintendent F. Fox, unidentified MAJ B.J. Donaldson – US Exchange, remainder unidentified. Front row L to R: unidentified (x2), MAJ John South, unidentified (x4). .49) - Photo, colour, 1990. Unidentified padre addresses the Parade. On his left: City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD. .50) - Photo, colour, 1990. Unidentified padre addresses the Parade. On his right: Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD, City of Bendigo Chief Executive Officer - Mr. R. J. Burton, Reviewing Officer Bendigo Mayor - Councillor James Douglass. .51) - Photo, colour, 1990. Departure of Chief Superintendent F. Fox at conclusion of Parade. .52) - Photo, colour, 1990. Departure of unidentified padres (x2), Bishop of Sandhurst most Reverend N. Daly DD at conclusion of Parade. .53) & .54) - Photo, colour, 1990. Departure of Parade Host - D-SVY COL Don Swiney MBE at conclusion of Parade. No personnel or civilians are identified. ‘Freedom of Entry Parade ‘90’ is annotated on plastic negative sleeve.royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna

Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacement with a new steel bridge. Heritage advice obtained by Nillumbik Shire Council, following a suggestion by the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), is that the original bridge appears to have been a simplified version of the Country Roads Board’s (CRB) standard timber bridge design of the early-to-mid 1920s. In c1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with three recycled steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. During these alterations many parts of the bridge were removed, and some were replaced. Heritage advice indicates the condition of Murray’s bridge is poor. The remaining original parts are all in poor condition, with severe weathering, splitting and rot, especially to the stringers retained on the bridge. Heritage advice is that Murray’s Bridge does not have sufficient significance in the cultural history of the Nillumbik area to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay and also does not have sufficient significance as a rare survivor to warrant inclusion in the Nillumbik Shire Heritage Overlay. There are no indications in the historical record that this site was individually important to the cultural history of this area. EDHS is comfortable with the heritage advice provided to Council and has worked closely on this project with Council. EDHS has suggested some of the removed timbers be used in the vicinity of the bridge for landscaping and possibly seating, so as to retain these remnants close to the site of the original bridge, which is the last old timber bridge along the lower reaches of the Diamond Creek. Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. * * * A theory posted on local community Facebook groups was that the bridge was built in the 1860s and was built to be more robust than was necessary for the movement of cows from one side of the creek to the other. It was suggested the robustness was necessary to support the weight of gold ore being transferred from a mine on Murray’s land to a railway siding near Murrays Bridge (presumably for transfer and processing at Diamond Creek). Perhaps this may have been one of the motivators for Murray, who really knows? Knowing when mining operations ceased on his land and how that fits the overall timeline would be useful but at the time the bridge was built, local gold production was minimal at best. The known facts are: • The railway line came to Eltham in 1902. • The extension of the railway from Eltham to Hurstbridge was constructed in 1912 so no railway line even existed through Murray's property until 1912 and the Victorian Railways maps at the time show no such siding on Murray’s property. • In 1923 a new company was formed in anticipation of the old Diamond Creek Gold Mine being re-opened. The mine had been previously closed and flooded. It was noted in the press at the time that the mine was within a mile of the railway. Nothing really came of this. • Construction of Murrays Bridge was commenced by James Murray in early 1929 in anticipation of a proposed flag station being nominated on his land, but work ceased shortly afterwards. The proposed flag station was commonly referred to as Glen Park as the residents of the Glen Park Estate wanted Option 1, located near them with the platform adjacent to Colemans corner. This was probably never going to fly as it was virtually in eyesight of Eltham station. Allandale Road was the third option, but the Commissioners' preferred option was No. 2 - on Murray's property. • The Railway Commissioners were not going to finance any such station and the works had to be funded by private landowners and residents, hence Murray investing in this himself. • Murray recommenced work two years later and finished his bridge in 1931 but unfortunately for him, the proposed flag station never eventuated. The bluestone siding you reference may well have been built by Murray as part of the proposed station platform. • Up until then, apart from the Main Road bridge, which was washed away in 1924, virtually all local crossings over the Diamond Creek were low lying bridges – Kaylocks Bridge at Brougham Street, Diamond Street bridge, Glen Park Road bridge. It is expected that Murray also had a low-lying bridge to connect his land either side of the creek. These were all washed away or severely damaged multiple times in the 1920s. Lessons were learnt, and Murrays Bridge appears to have been built in accordance with Country Road Board standards of the time. Flood damage was ongoing, and even more recently constructed raised bridges kept getting washed away, e.g., the new Wattle Tree Road bridge in 1958 just months after completion. Murray’s bridge was reinforced with steel some 30 years ago presumably to provide additional floodwater resistance, given the history of bridges disappearing in floodwaters. • In March 1932 it was reported in the Advertiser that there were still some prospectors operating around Eltham North who apart from further scarring the face of the earth over the previous two years had gained significant experience but little gold - hardly a driving factor for constructing a dedicated railway siding and bridge to transfer gold ore. It is far more probable that James Murray was hoping to have the railway station located on his property and invested his money by building the bridge to lead to it as well as a station platform. Had the station eventuated, it may well have driven up the value of his land for subdivision and new housing estates like the Glen Park Estate. That did not eventuate. Whilst the bridge was indeed old (90 years), the core structure being completed in 1931, it had been modified substantially from original and hence had no significant historic value – i.e., it was not a representative example of its type, construction, and age. Given that the bridge was not worthy of saving, the Eltham District Historical Society with Council’s support, and the Eltham Woodworkers group endeavoured to see what suitable sized timbers were salvageable to fabricate a commemorative seat. Unfortunately, the experts at the Woodworkers group were unable to salvage any suitable length/width timbers to fabricate the seat due to the presence of rot. Last remaining wooden trestle bridge on the Diamond Creek Trail just prior to demolition and replacementBorn digital image (27)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station

Construction work on replacement of Murray's Bridge over the Diamond Creek on the Diamond Creek Trail Mary (Sweeney) Murray and John Wright Murray selected 80 acres, Lot C Section 16 and Lot 5 Section 17 Parish of Nillumbik, under an occupation license in 1866. John died in 1867 and freehold was granted to his son John in 1873. The farm was known as ‘Laurel Hill’. John Junior was an Eltham Shire councillor and sometime president from 1887 up until 1897. He added Lot A Section 16 to the farm in ca1888. John and his younger brother James arranged to rent/purchase Lot B Section 17, across Diamond Creek to the west, in ca1900. It appears that John and James farmed separately for a few years, with a new homestead built for James ad family on the high point of Lot B Section 17 in ca1910. John sold off Lot 5 Section 17 in 1912. When John died in 1912 James took over the land on both sides of the Diamond Creek. The old homestead on the west side of the Creek disappeared. A farm bridge over Diamond Creek from this period may have been located close to the northern boundary of the farm. John Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of the Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was then subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. Other similar subdivisions of nineteenth century farms around Eltham in this period included the ‘Franktonia (or Beard’s) Estate’ to the northeast and ‘Bonsack’s Estate’ between Eltham and Greensborough. Soon after the opening of the railway extension line from Eltham to Hurstbridge in 1912, Glen Park and nearby residents including James Murray agitated for a railway station or siding to be located half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge, so that the Glen Park residents who used the railway daily did not have to walk into the Eltham or Hurstbridge stations. Some believed Coleman’s Corner (opposite Edendale Farm) was an appropriate spot for the platform. James Murray was among those who thought the railway should be located on his land, closer to half-way between Eltham and Hurstbridge stations. The Railways Commissioners warned that the locals would have to fund these works themselves. The Glen Park Estate residents initially had difficulty accessing Eltham by road, with only an old low-level bridge over Diamond Creek at the south end of their estate. A new timber trestle bridge across the creek, now on Wattletree Road, was opened in 1915. Road access to the north was gained in 1927 when the new Murray’s Road, which crossed the Murray’s land, was built. Residents continued to agitate for a Glen Park station. By 1926 the Railways Commissioners’ preferred site was on the Murray’s land. They arranged an estimate of cost of a full-length platform. The estimate was too much for the locals, who in 1928 argued unsuccessfully for a shorter and hence cheaper platform. By 1929 Murray had agreed to donate the land, but the locals would still have to fund the works. Murray decided, unilaterally it would appear, to commence work on a timber trestle road bridge over Diamond Creek to link the new Murray Road to the proposed station. Late in 1929 he stopped work on the bridge, for reasons unknown, but started work again and completed the bridge in 1931. There is no further newspaper evidence of the campaign for the Glen Park station until 1939, when Murray and another local, Mr Maxwell, met the Railways Commissioner. The Glen Park locale now included 45 homes on the west side of the creek and 20 on the Eltham side. Most of the residents used the train every day. The Commissioner remained adamant that only a full-length platform could be built for safety reasons. It appears the campaign dissolved at this point. The increasing move to cars may have had an impact. There is no evidence of Murray’s bridge ever being connected to Murray’s Road, or of it having wide use for any purpose by locals. James Murray died in 1947 and the farm was taken over by his son James (Jim). Jim started to sell off parts of the farm in the 1980s, retaining a few acres around the ca1910 homestead and building a new house there. Recreation reserves were established along the creek. In ca1990 Murray’s bridge was renovated with steel girders as part of a bike/pedestrian path in the reserve. The old farmhouse was demolished in ca2014. Born digital image (5)diamond creek (creek), diamond creek trail, murrays bridge, ‘laurel hill’, john wright murray, mary (sweeney) murra, john murray jnr, james murray, john langlands, ‘ihurst’, ‘glen park estate’, beard's estate, franktonia, bonsack's estate, glen park estate, glen park railway station