Material pertaining to the production of a history of the Shire of Eltham, "Pioneers & Painters: One Hundred Years of Eltham and its Shire" in recognition of the shire's centenary in 1971 Item Title Caption 04766-1 Background to publication of a Shire Centenary book from another shire, 7 February 1969 04766-2 Outcomes of Annual General Meeting held 11 February 1969, Shire of Eltham Historical Society, Advising office bearers for 1969 as well as notice for next meeting to be held 11 March 1969 at the Eltham War Memorial Hall where guest speaker Alan Marshall will talk on a proposal to compile a history of the Shire of Eltham to be published for the centenary of the Shire in 1971 04766-3 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary, Shire of Eltham Historical Society to the Shire Secretary, Shire of Eltham seeking financial support for the publication of a history of the shire to celebrate its centenary in 1971, 21 February 1969 04766-4 Carbon copy Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary, Shire of Eltham Historical Society inviting Shire Councillors to next Historical Society meeting, 21 February 1969 Enclosed copy of letter sent to Shire Secretary, Shire of Eltham seeking financial support for the publication of a history of the shire to celebrate its centenary in 1971 04766-5 Notes following meeting with Alan Marshall regarding the publication of a history of the Shire of Eltham, 1969 In Russell Yeoman's hand writing 04766-6 Letter: M.B. Watson, Eltham Shire Secretary to Shire of Eltham Historical Society expressing support for the publication of a history of the Shire, 11 March 1969 04766-7 Alan Marshall's notes for talk to members of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (March 1969) re research for Shire history publication, c.March 1969 04766-8 Minutes of the meeting of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society held 11 March 1969 04766-9 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary, Shire of Eltham Historical Society to F. Endacott, President of Healesville Historical Society seeking information for the publication of a history of the shire to celebrate its centenary in 1971, 10 June 1969 Areas of Healesville were initially part of the Shire of Eltham 04766-10 Letter: Page 1 of letter from F. Endacott, President, Healesville Historical Society, to Russell Yeoman regarding the history of the Shire of Eltham extending beyond Healesville, 21 June 1969 04766-11 Notice to members of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society regarding publication of a history of the Shire to be edited by Alan Marshall and advising next meeting to be held 24 June 1969 04766-12 Letter: RHSV to Shire of Eltham Historical Society agreeing to place any source material at the disposal of the society for the upcoming publication on the history of the Shire of Eltham, 30 June 1969 04766-13 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works seeking material for a history of the Shire. c.1969 Specific mention regarding the Maroondah Aqueduct 04766-14 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Peter Cuffley of Hamilton seeking material for a history of the Shire. 8 July 1969 Specific mention regarding Sweeneys 04766-15 Letter: Rev. Donald Longfield to Russell Yeoman regarding potential sources of information and photographs for a history of the Shire of Eltham, 9 July 1969 04766-15-2 Letter: Rev. Donald Longfield to Russell Yeoman regarding potential sources of information and photographs for a history of the Shire of Eltham, 9 July 1969 04766-15-3 Letter: Rev. Donald Longfield to Russell Yeoman regarding potential sources of information and photographs for a history of the Shire of Eltham, 9 July 1969 04766-16 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Royal Historical Society of Victoria seeking assistance on material for a history of the Shire. c.1969 Specific mention regarding the Maroondah Aqueduct 04766-17 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to the Editor, RHSV Newsletter on the Society seeking material for a history of the Shire. 24 July 1969 04766-18 Notice and Agenda for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held 26 August 1969 Peter Basset-Smith to show his films of Eltham & District in the 1930s 04766-19 Letter: L.J. Corben, Acting Assistant Secretary, Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works to Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society regarding availability of material on the Maroondah Aqueduct and Dam in support of a publication on the history of the Shire, 29 August 1969 Specific mention regarding the Maroondah Aqueduct 04766-20 Notice for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held 23 August 1969 Peter Basset-Smith to show his films of Eltham & District in the 1930s 04766-21 Notice of cancellation for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held October 1969 04766-22 Notice for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held 25 November 1969 04766-23 Notes regarding Shire of Yea's plans to publish a book on the shire's history for its centenary in 1969 04766-24 Draft notice for call-out of historical photographs and documents in support of a publication on the history of the Shire of Eltham, 1969 04766-25 Notes from meeting of Shire of Eltham Historical Society, History Publication Committee meeting, c.1969 04766-26 Note to Russell Yeoman advising sources of printed material, photographs, etc for Pioneers & Painters - A History of Eltham Shire, c.1969 04766-27 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Heidelberg Historical Society seeking material for a history of the Shire. c.1969 Specific mention regarding floods in the area and the Heidelberg School of Painters 04766-28 Letter: Russell Yeoman, Secretary , Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Doncaster Historical Society seeking material for a history of the Shire. c.1969 Specific mention regarding Warrandyte and recent Fitzsimons Lane bridge 04766-29 Notice for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held 27 January 1970 04766-30 Notice for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Annual General Meeting to be held 24 February 1970 04766-31 Notice of Office Bearers elected at the Shire of Eltham Historical Society Annual General Meeting held 24 February 1970 and notice of next meeting to be held 24 March 1970 04766-32 Notice for Shire of Eltham Historical Society Meeting to be held 28 April 1970 04766-33 Notice from Russell Yeoman, Secretary, Shire of Eltham Historical Society to members advising on progress of the History Publication Committee, c. 1970 Also noted, the Society has a new P.O. Box address; P.O. Box 37 Eltham Vic. 3095 04766-34 Letter: Draft copy of letter from Russell Yeoman, Secretary, Shire of Eltham Historical Society expressing appreciation to Cr. Charis Pellis for chairing the committee which led to the publication of Pioneers & Painters, 23 August 1971 04766-35 Letter: Mrs Stella Graham of Diamond Creek to Secretary Shire of Eltham Historical Society, 1971; requesting the return of her personal papers lent in conjunction with the compilation of the history of the Shire of Eltham 04766-36 Letter: Mrs Stella Graham of Diamond Creek to Alan Marshall, 3 Aug. 1971; requesting the return of her personal papers lent in conjunction with the compilation of the history of the Shire of Eltham 04766-37 Letter: Margaret Orford of Nhill to Alan Marshall, 7 Feb 1970; advising she cannot help with any photos. Her Uncle who Alan Marshall had interviewed had all memorabilia however she definitely wanted to buy a book when available.The idea to develop a book on the history of the Shire of Eltham to be edited by noted author, Alan Marshall in celebration of the shire's centenary was initiated in 1969. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society undertook significant research in conjunction with Alan Marshall locating material at various institutions and other societies; interviewing longer term residents and a public campaign through the local press to acquire photographic material for duplication and use in the book. The public campaign received generous response and the material collected became the genesis for the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection now held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library).Miscellaneous notes, copies of letters and minutes of the Shire of Eltham Historical Societyalan marshall, apted, arthurs creek, bridge street, burgoyne, cr. charis pelling, cracknell, dan glasgow, donald longfield, doncaster historical society, elsie reynolds, ethel williams, fitzsimons lane bridge, floods, frank berkery, heidelberg historical society, history publication committee, joslyn, kath stephenson, maroondah aqueduct, minutes, mmbw, motschall, panton hill, pioneers and painters, research (vic.), rev. jock ryan, rev. ken briarty, rev. longfield, rhsv, royal historical society of victoria, russell yeoman, shire of eltham historical society, shire of eltham, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, smith, stella graham, sweeney, yea shire council, margaret orford

Nillumbik Shire Council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire Offices in Greensborough after municipal restructuing. The offices became the official Nillumbik Shire Council Offices on 16 October 1995. The former Shire of Diamond Valley Civic Centre or Shire Office building was officially opened on 26th February 1972. Archtiects were A.K. Lines, McFarlane & Marshall and it was built by L.U. Simon Pty Ltd, The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964 from part of the City of Heidelberg. On December 15, 1994 the Shire of Nillumbik was established. Under the Council amalgamations imposed by the Kennett government, the Shire of Eltham, Shire of Diamond Valley and City of Heidelberg ceased to exist with the establishment of Nillumbik Shire Council and the City of Banyule.The new Nillumbik shire surrended the west riding from Eltham to Banyule but in place gained parts of the former Diamond Valley Shire which itself had been created in 1964 from parts of the City of Heidelberg. Three unelected and non-local Commissioners were put in place by the government bringing democracy into question by many members of the local community. The Commissioners determined to abandon the former Shire of Eltham offices located in Main Road, Eltham and in turn occupy the former Shire of Diamond Valley offices located at the boundary of the new shire with Banyule, in Civic Drive, Greensborough. In July 1996 the Commissioners sold the former Eltham Shire Offices and had them bulldozed leading to many years of communiity protest over the process and future development applications. The site has remained vacant ever since. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p43 It was the need for roads that led to this district’s first council. In 1853 a committee was formed to improve the rough roads, some in Kangaroo Ground being almost impassable in winter.1 The committee fundraised by voluntary levies and grants to improve in particular, the main road between Kangaroo Ground and the Plenty River. From this committee arose the Eltham District Road Board, in 1856, which was the precursor to the Eltham Shire Council. The Board’s first chairman was Kangaroo Ground farmer, John Barr. Secretary was the former committee’s secretary, Andrew Ross, Kangaroo Ground’s first school teacher, and founder of the district newspaper, The Evelyn Observer.2 Most of the board’s income came from a toll-house north of the Lower Plenty Bridge, which funded such projects as a road from Kangaroo Ground to the Caledonia Diggings. In 1871 the Shire of Eltham was proclaimed, with its boundaries the same as those of the Road Board, and Councillor A Donaldson of Kangaroo Ground was the first president. Eltham was at the southern tip of the shire, which extended north to Kinglake and east beyond Yarra Glen. In 1878, part of Kinglake was added to the shire, while the area east of Watts River, near Healesville was removed. In 1912, then again in 1958, the shire was further reduced. Yarra Glen, Steels Creek, Tarrawarra, parts of Healesville and Christmas Hills, were transferred to the Shire of Healesville. In 1972 a smaller area, at Kinglake, was transferred to the Shire of Yea, leaving 277 square kilometres in the Eltham Shire. Perhaps no other Victorian municipality has had so many meeting places. Although from 1858 to 1904, the council convened at the office in the home of Secretary Charles Wingrove, the board, and later the council, also met at other more central locations.3 The board moved from the Fountain of Friendship Hotel to the Eltham Courthouse, to the Kangaroo Ground schoolhouse. It then met at the Kangaroo Ground Hotel, which some considered put it in danger of interruptions by people ‘the worse for liquor’.4 In 1885 the council met at the hall on Mr J Donaldson’s land at Kangaroo Ground. After Wingrove’s retirement, the council rented space at the Kangaroo Ground General Store and Post Office. Then, in 1917, the council bought the former office of The Evelyn Observer, after its printing works transferred to Hurstbridge. In 1934, fire destroyed the shire office, which was temporarily relocated to the Kangaroo Ground home of Shire Secretary, Mr P J McMahon. In 1941, the shire office moved to a new building (which included a public hall) in Eltham, at the corner of Arthur Street and Main Road, where the Eltham Village Shopping Centre was eventually built. Growth required new offices, which opened in 1965, on the former Shillinglaw property in Main Road.5 In 1994, as part of municipal restructuring under the Jeff Kennett Liberal Government, most of the Eltham Shire formed part of the new Shire of Nillumbik. It joined with the north section of the Diamond Valley Shire and parts of the Healesville and Whittlesea municipalities. The Diamond Valley Shire had been created in 1964, from part of the City of Heidelberg. Turbulence followed Nillumbik Shire’s formation. Under the Commissioners the council transferred to the former Diamond Valley Shire offices in Greensborough, and the Eltham council offices were demolished. In March 1997 the first five-member Nillumbik Council was elected. But, in October 1998, the government suspended the council and appointed an administrator . Early in 1999, shire residents voted to increase councillors to nine: comprising five ward councillors and four shire-wide councillors. Elections were held in March 1999. Then, before the March 2002 elections, nine new wards were created.6 In 2008 these were reduced to seven. Today [2008] the council governs a varied population of more than 60,000 people living in townships and on bush properties in the green wedge.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, greensborough, nillumbik shire council offices, civic drive

Fern gullies around Jehosaphat Gully Covered under National Estate. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p125 The magnificent Kinglake National Park, fringing Nillumbik’s north, is the largest national park close to Melbourne. Thanks to the vision and hard work of a band of local people, the park was created from what was rapidly becoming degraded land. Seeing a threat to Kinglake’s indigenous flora and fauna, several prominent local people campaigned for a national park, which was established in 1928.1 Since then, the park has grown through donations and acquisitions of land, from around 13,800 acres of land (5585ha) to 22,360 hectares. The Sugarloaf and Everard Blocks – of almost 8000 hectares – stand in Nillumbik and the park extends into Mitchell and Murrundindi Shires and the City of Whittlesea. Mt Everard commemorates William Hugh Everard, State member for Evelyn when the park was established. Before 1928, European settlers had degraded the Kinglake area, which was named after the celebrated English author and lawyer, Alexander William Kinglake. Remains of gold shafts and diggings in the park are reminders of Kinglake’s first settlers, who hoped to strike it rich at the gold diggings. But like other gold fields in this shire, they proved not very lucrative and soon timber cutting replaced mining in importance. However, before long, the accessible timber supply ran out, so in the 1920s agriculture took over – particularly potatoes and berry fruits – which involved large-scale clearing.2 The park’s instigator was retired Melbourne University Professor of Music, William Laver.3 As chair of the Kinglake Progress Association he began negotiations to have crown lands on the southern scarp of the Great Dividing Range reserved as a national park. Even before the park was proclaimed, from 1927, KPA members cut tracks to the major scenic points. Professor Laver was one of several people who gave land for the park, donating around 50 acres (20ha), including the Jehosaphat Gully.4 Laver chaired the park’s first Committee of Management, which raised money to employ a ranger and provide facilities, including tracks and roads for fire protection vehicles, toilets and shelters. The committee charged fees for firewood collection, some grazing of livestock, and visitor entrance, and obtained small State Government and Eltham Shire grants. In 1957 the State Government provided revenue for national parks. Then, in 1975, the State Government took over the management and the Committee of Management became an advisory committee, which disbanded in 1978. Originally, the park covered crown land in the Shires of Eltham and Whittlesea; then Wombelano Falls in Yea and other areas were added. In 1970 the park extended into the Shires of Eltham, Healesville, Whittlesea and Yea.5 Bush fires have been an ongoing problem. In 1939 hundreds of eucalypts and acacias had to be sown around the Jehosaphat Gully to rejuvenate the forest. To manage bushfires, the Committee of Management, then the State Government, worked closely with the Forestry Commission, shire councils and local fire brigades. Early national parks focussed on recreation. But by the 1980s, conservation, education and scientific research became more important, playing a vital role in preserving representative samples of the natural environment. Each year many thousands of people use the park’s extensive network of walking tracks amongst the protected plant and animal life as well as camping, cycling and horse riding. The park, along the slopes of the Great Dividing Range, has lookouts revealing magnificent views of the Melbourne skyline, Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra Valley and the You Yangs. Vegetation in the Masons Falls area includes messmate forest, Austral grass-trees, ferns and Hazel Pomaderris. In spring, orchids, lilies, everlasting daisies, correas, grevillea and heath appear. Around Jehosaphat Gully are wet and dry forest, fern gullies and banksia. Animal life includes wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, possums, gliders and bandicoots. Male lyrebirds can be heard mimicking in the Jehosaphat Gully, particularly in the Everard Block in winter.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, kinglake national park, jehosaphat gully

Dixon's Creek Yarra Glen-Yea Road June 1958Record of various Shire of Eltham infrastructure works undertaken during the period of 1952-1962 involving bridge and road reconstruction projects, sometimes with Eltham Shire Council Project Reference numbers quoted. It was during this period that a number of significant improvements were made to roads and new bridges constructed within the shire that remain in place as of present day (2022). In many situations, the photos provide a tangible visible record of infrastructure that existed throughout the early days of the Shire. The album was put together by or under the direction of the Shire Engineer, J.A. McDonald.infrastructure, shire of eltham, 1958-06, bridge construction, dixons creek bridge, dixon's creek road, yarra glen-yea road