We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Lois Loftus-Hills (1927-2006) and her husband Geoffrey were founding members of the Australian Democrats. Lois was the editor of the national Journal. Lois was trained in the field of dietetics and when working at the CSIRO met Geoffrey. They lived at Lower Plenty and were instrumental in establishing a local Neighbourhood House. Lois was a member of EDHS. (NL-170)
Folder of information on Geoffrey and Lois Loftus-Hills, Lower Plenty
Wurunjerrai - Baluk tribe in the area; place names.
Ex Eltham College Library; various library markings
wurundjeri woi wurrung, yan yean
Charles Partington married Ellen Whatmough; they and their children, Robert and James, came to Australia in 1857 because Ellen's brother, Robert Whatmough, had come to Australia in 1841, and was the first lamplighter while also working in John Batman's orchard on Spencer Street. He moved in 1842 to establish an orchard in Greensborough. Both Partington boys died soon after the family arrived at Greensborough but later two daughters were born, Prudina and Maria ,and five sons, including William . On arrival Charles began work for Mr Flintoff at Black Hills and was later toll keeper on what is now Watsonia Road. He was later a successful orchardist. Contents Newspaper article: "Link with the past", Diamond Valley News, 21 February 1984. Alan Partington's research on Robert Whatmough, early settler in Greensborough.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
alan partington, robert whatmough, watmough park greensborough, robert partington, james partington, elen partington nee whatmough, flintoff at black hills, road tolls watsonia road, prudina partington, maria partington, william partington, willis vale, partington's flat greensborugh, mr meagher of greensborough, apollo parkways estate
Robert Parry (1824-?) came to Melbourne from Wales in 1850, marrying Margaret Brett, a fellow passenger. He worked for James Donaldson at Kangaroo Ground, returning after success at gold mining. He began as a carter and settled near Healesville. Contents Photocopy: "The Upper Yarra District" page 413, biography of Robert Parry.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
robert parry, margaret parry nee brett, james donaldson, kangaroo ground, john hicks petty
A source book of ideas for owner-builders on the design and construction of mud brick houses from all over Australia from the 198th and 20th centuries
Signed black ink "J. Connor" inside face page
adobe buildings, earth houses, mud brick building, mud brick construction, pise construction
This history of the Victorian town of St. Andrews (formerly Queenstown) and its surroundings was written to celebrate the 140th anniversary of St Andrews Primary School. Describes the displacement of the Aboriginal inhabitants of the area, European settlement and the Gold Rushes and the Caledonia diggings. Discusses establishment of the school, church and cemetery and various other notable events. The school in 1998 and speculations on the future by primary school pupils. Contents: Introduction The First People Mining- What a rush! The School The Church Queenstown Cemetery The Hotels The Police Paddocks The Families Queenstown in the early twentieth century The Queenstown Bush Fire Brigade The 1st Queenstown Scout troop Queenstown, the 1940s and 1950s The Characters Odds and Sods St Andrews - The Present Times The Future St Andres Primary School in 1998
This book is significant in that it documents the history of the St Andrews community from the indigenous presence through its foundation during the Victorian Gold Rush through to local bushfires and predictions of the future by local primary schools students in 1998. It remains the only significant secondary source publication written specifically on this rural community.
Reprint edition with index 158 p. : ill., ports ; index
Ex Eltham College copy Bendigo bank donation label inside cover Title page with stampings for D.D. Davey Senior Library Rear page date due slip
st andrews, queenstown
Joseph Anderson Panton (1831-1913) came from Scotland to Australia in 1851. In Bendigo, he was appointed assistant gold commissioner 1852 and senior commissioner 1854. Over the years, he served as magistrate at Jamieson-Wood's Point, Anderson's Creek, Heidelberg, Geelong and Melbourne. He owned land on the Yarra River and Panton Hill is named for him. Contents Map: J A Panton's landholding with surrounding landholders. Printout and photocopy: Panton, Joseph Anderson, Australian Dictionary of Biography entry. Notes: Joseph Anderson Panton, brief biographical notes. Research Enquiry Form: Vivienne Worthington, seeking sources of information regarding Joseph Anderson Panton, 14 June 2017. Email and associated documents: Michael Kennedy seeking assistance of Eltham Gateway Action Group regarding proposed felling of manna gum tree near bridge across Diamond Creek, on land once held by Joseph Anderson Panton. Newspaper article: "Historic painting might be lost to Victoria," The Age, 22 October 1985. Painting by Joseph Anderson Panton of Captain William Lonsdale's house, Victoria's first Government House, to be in forthcoming auction.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
joseph anderson panton, william b burnley, w walsh, r hall, r a davidson, j orford, b speers, a speers, william bell, t baillie, d mcloughlin, t prior, g e hodgkins, n rodda, w r belcher, g d boursiquot, j p imley, t b darling, h g jones, t sweny, r lane, w gordon, a e morris, d w thring, j carfrae, thomas sweeney, michael kennedy, vivienne worthington, william crozier, j frank, p carrucan, panton hill
Joy and Michael Pagon moved to Research in 1975 and kept a diary of birds seen. They joined the Friends of Swipers Gully. Contents Newspaper article: "Friends of a feather", Diamond Valley Leader, 13 July 2005. Joy and Michael Pagon's birdwatching.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
Joy and Michael Pagon moved to Research in 1975 and kept a diary of birds seen. They joined the Friends of Swipers Gully. Contents Newspaper article: "Friends of a feather", Diamond Valley Leader, 13 July 2005. Joy and Michael Pagon's birdwatching.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
joy pagon, michael pagon, friends of swipers gully, birdwatching
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires specifically with a focus on fires at Eltham North. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Eltham, Diamond Creek, Warrandyte on page 1 and page 3, Warrandyte on page 4 • A Circle of Fire Around City, p1 (Illust.) • A home is saved, p2 (Illust.) • 18 houses, hall and store lost, p2 • Battle for the trees, p3 (Illust.) • Six houses go in two suburbs, p3 (Illust.) • A sleepless town waited, p4 (Illust.) • Fire in the near hills, pp28-29 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, greensborough, diamond creek, warrandyte, eltham, gippsland, romsey, toolern vale, melton, rockbank, laughing waters, ken guest, eltham state school no. 209, a. smith, ray freeman, sassafras, diamond creek-greensborough road, warrandyte hall, bushfire damage – buildings
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires specifically with a focus on fires at Eltham North. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Eltham North on page 1, 2, 3, 28-29 • Fire Kills 3, p1 (Illust.) • Fire on their heel, p2 (Illust.) • Flames catch, kill 3 as they run: 12 house go, p3 (Illust.) • It doubled back, p3 • Helpers highly praised, p3 • Blaze kills 100 puppies, p3 (Illust.) • Scenes from Eltham’s Black Wednesday, pp28-29 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, glen park road, eltham north, sunny pine, bushfire damage – buildings, back gully, gippsland, glenmaggie, briagolong, george john crowe, john lawrence coleman, william john elwers, creek road, wattle glen, bill guy
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires specifically with a focus on fires at Eltham North. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Eltham North and veteran Herald staff photographer Bert Rodda on page 1 • 3 Die as Bushfires Sweep the Hill: 10 homes burn at Nth. Eltham, p1 (Illust.) • 100 dogs die, p1 • Taken on the run, p1 (Illust.) • Fire runs wild at Eltham, p3 (Illust.) • 10-mile front out of control; Gippsland area ablaze, p3 • Trapped, but saved by wind, p3
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, eltham north, bert rodda, glen park road, short road, research (vic.), wattle glen, diamond creek, warrandyte, eltham, gippsland, mrs g. maher, bill dancy, eltham north store, bushfire damage - buildings
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1965 Victorian bushfires. • Fire Kills 8; Seven trapped near car, p1 (Illust.) • …Then the rain came, p3 (Illust.) • Bushfire kills 5 children, 2 women, p3 (Illust.) • Hottest since ’61, p3 • Fire’s big leap, p3 (Illust.) • Fire crisis was worst since ’62, p5 • Blaze leaps township, p5 • 120 flee at guesthouse, p5 • Clothes burnt off 2 firemen, p5 • Too close for comfort; Fire sweeps through farm buildings; Kooyong Coolers; Beach bath; pp20-21 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1965, victorian bushfires – 1965, longwood, euroa, arnold west, bendigo, blackwood, derek dillon, garry mathieson, ted guppy, olinda, bridgewater, kevin poyser, john jenkins, bendigo base hospital, federation cup, kooyong, carol sutherland, peter james sage
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by the third day had encompassed large areas of the State. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Warrandyte on page 1, St. Andrews and Smith’s Gully on page 2, St. Andrews on page 3 and 43, Panton Hill and Warrandyte on p23 and Hurstbridge on page 44 • It's Now Safe in Fire Areas; Death Toll Reaches 8, p1 (Illust.) • How they died, pp1-2 • It was “heaven” in the bush … Boys stayed on . . . to die, pp1-2 (Illust.) • Towns take stock as danger drops, p2 • £5400 to the relief fund, p2 • Fire now threat to Otways, p2 • Pensioners lose all, p2 • “…If Only The Rain Had Come” … and then it came to town, p3 (Illust.) • Our best rain since May • It halted at Grandma’s front gate, p5 (Illust.) • Now that the rain has come; It’s time for the clean-up, p6 • Wisps of smoke where flames danced, p7 • Charitry’s a loser, p7 • War Service homes claim, p7 • Help’s on way, p7 (Illust.) • Came with their gifts …, p7 • Fire summons for youth; “sparked the rest”, p9 • Three gaoled, p9 • They had to camp out at Wye River, p9 (Illust.) • “Probe Fires” – Stoneham, p9 • The Fourth Day: Scorched Earth!, pp22-23 (Illust.) • This home was saved but - , p22 (Illust.) • Relief Centre, p23 (Illust.) • Homeless, p23 (Illust.) • So little was left, p43 (Illust.) • Tommy saved his cat, p43 (Illust.) • Some were lucky … and some were tired, p44 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, ronald ockwell, geoffrey ockwell, woori yallock, william ockwell, leslie ockwell, linda may ockwell, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, warrandyte, arthur brown, harold vernon betton, bloom road, william smith, olinda, bushfire relief fund, yarra glen, healesville, railway line, st. andrews, smith’s gully, otway ranges, eric watts, edith varty, inverness road, mt. evelyn, wye river, panton hil, heather sullivan, warrandyte hall, montrose, kalorama, mrs e. tucker, shirley tucker, margaret tucker, joane tucker, roger tucker, trevor tucker, ann quinton, tom dunstan, hurstbridge hall
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by the third day had encompassed large areas of the State. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Panton Hill and Hurstbridge on page 1, Warrandyte on page 2, 3, 4 and 5, Hurstbridge, Smith’s Gully, Kinglake on page 3 and 4, Strathewen, Kangaroo Ground, Panton Hill, St. Andrews, Smith’s Gully on page 4 and Pound Bend, Smith’s Gully and Warrandyte on pages 20-21 • They Flee Night Peril, p1 (Illust.) • Their grim picnic; A flash fire strikes, p2 (Illust.) • Night of terror as towns quitted, p3 • Fought till he dropped, p3 (Illust.) • Rain in fire area, p3 • Wye River town goes, p3 • Black Friday Hero Dies In Fire; with wife, grandsons, p4 • Surrounded!, p4 (Illust.) • Main street houses ablaze, p4 • Hurstbridge is evacuated, p4 • Scores jump in river at Warrandyte, p5 • Hills people leave homes, p5 • “Fire” cry at Parlt., p5 • Blind – he’s safe now, p5 (Illust.) • Police Chief Runs Battle, p7 • From Fire Front: Hospital treats 34, p7 • Firms send help, p7 • Tragedy and Ruin: Third Day; Ferntree Gully; Warrandyte; Pound Bend; Smiths Gully; Escape for 18, pp20-21 (Illust.) • Church was a haven for the hurt, weary, p39 (Illust.) • A home is lost, p40 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, panton hill, hurstbridge, five ways crossroads, warrandyte south, dandenongs, upwey, mt. evelyn, monbulk, olinda, sassafras, st. andrews, warrandyte, christmas hills, yarra river, mitcham, whitehorse roiad, donvale, park orchards, metropolitan fire chief, w.t. aldridge, loughnan’s hill, ringwood, woori yallock, leslie ockwell, linda ockwell, kalorama, healesville, daylesford, fire damage – buildings, wye river, portland, eganstown, ballarat, sherbrooke park forest, forest commission headquarters, kallista, r.t. seaton, montrose, yallourn, central gippsland, smith’s creek, black friday, geoffrey ockwell, ronald ockwell, preston town hall, e.j. tenner, strathewen, kangaroo ground, eric farnsworth, adele farnsworth, robin farnsworth, roy cleland, ann cleland, belgrave, sassfras, kaloramalice commissioner porter, mansfield, box hill hospital, pound bend, ferntree gully, ferntree gully state school, w. carew, ann quinton
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts which by second day had spread on to a 150 mile front fromDaylesford and Kinglake through to the Dandenongs. Specific Eltham Shire districts mentioned include Ninka Road, St. Andrews, Kinglake, Hurstbridge on page 2 • Fires Blazing on 150M. Arc: "Need a Miracle", p1 (Illust.) – Victoria’s worst bushfire day since “Black Friday,” 1939 • Night dash as bushfire sweeps by, p2 (Illust.) • Kalorama Saved: Fire 100 Ft. Away, p2 • Stay away, says police chief, p2 • The Tragedy of the Fires, p3 (Illust.) • Good save by firemen, p4 (Illust.) • S.E.C. Firemen Saved N. Yallourn, p4 • Cherry river of flame, p4 • From the fire front: Fire-fighters are bitten by snakes, p4 • They faced the fury, p6 (Illust.) • The ’39 Blaze, p6 • They fought and failed, p6 • Hills Aflame: 2nd Day, pp16-17 (Illust.) • Respite at Olinda HQ, p16 (Illust.) • Here is Ruin, p17 (Illust.) • This fireman had to work among piled up furniture … p32 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, black friday, victorian bushfires – 1939, c.h. howe, daylesford, country fire authority, dandenongs, yallourn, central gippsland, montrose, olinda, kalorama, healesville, st. andrews, hurstbridge, ninka road, kinglake, yarra glen, a.l. mccutcheon, st. andrews postmaster, eltham shire secretary, max watson, police commissioner porter, observatory road, mt. dandenong, whittlesea, one tree hill, sassafras, the basin, steel’s creek, ruby ryan, the basin progress hall, yaallourn, yallourn north, stet electricity commission (s.e.c.), hernes oak, mcdonalds track, florence milkins, lieutenant-colonel k. leggett, bonza view road, ringwood police station, michael o’connor, volunteers, fire damage - buildings
Various news articles pertaining to the January 1962 Victorian bushfires in the Dandenong and Healesville districts. • Hills Ablaze As 27 Homes Burn; Night Fight, p1 (Illust.) • Yarra Glen, Healesville Saved; Fire into main street, p2 (Illust.) • Flare-up at Montrose, p2 • 20 scouts flee as fire sweeps camp, p2 • Gaol for fires today …, p2 • Timber lost, p2 • Heathmont home lost, but others saved, p2 • The desperate fight, p3 (Illust.) • Rubbish fire got away; Basin blaze, p3 • Panorama of destruction, p3 • Fire Captain Killed; 7 road deaths at week-end, p5 (Illust.) • Heartbreak, ruin as … Fire Sweeps the Hills, pp18-19 .(Illust.) • Tea; they made it for the fire fighters, pp18-19 (Illust.)
tom fielding collection, victorian bushfires - 1962, victorian bushfires – 1962, dandenongs, the basin, yarra glen, healesville, montrose, chum creek, scouts, australian logging co., a.w. larkins, heathmont, vermont, r. pearson, mike ryan, vic parker, c.g. wilson, hillside farm, clive brewer, ron anderson, mrs anderson, mt dandenong, healesville rural fire brigade, malcolm barber, yarra flats, r. bicknell, ferny creek, blue hills gues house, heatherset road, sassafras, olinda, presbyterian manse, john gorie, janice gorie, lynette gorie, jacky wilson, patricia cortie
jim connor collection, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, moor-rul viewing platform
jim connor collection, caretaker cottage, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park
Peter Oyston died in 2011. Hi. s career included being founding dean of drama at the Victorian College the Arts and director of Playbox Theatre. He was a champion of theatre companies including The Murray River Performing Group, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus, West Theatre and Theatreworks. He taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and directed more than 200 productions in Australia and other countries. He had a daughter Dominque. Contents Newspaper article: "Director takes his curtain call", Diamond Valley Leader, 19 October 2011, Obituary of Peter Oyston.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
peter oyston, victorian college of the arts, bend of islands, playbox theatre, the fying fruit fly circus, theatreworks, royal academy of dramatic arts london, dominque oyston, ray mooney, west theatre, the murray river performing group
Bob and Barbara Owen operate a beekeeping business in Eltham. Bob published The Australian Beekeeping Manual. Contents Newspaper article: "Bob Owen", The Weekly Review, 28 October 2015, Bob and Barbara Owen operate a beekeeping business in Eltham.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
bob owen, barbara owen, beekeeping in eltham, the australian beekeeping manual
William Alexander Osborne married Ethel Elizabeth Osborne in 1903; they came to Australia when he became Professor of Physiology at the University of Melbourne, later Dean, Faculty of Medicine, retiring in 1938. In 1904 they lived in Warrandyte at "Lowestoft", later moving to "The Hall" at Kangaroo Ground. Their children were Audrey, Gerard, Yrsa and Charis. Ethel, born in Leeds U.K., graduated in medicine in the 1920s and was active in social issues.She represented Australia at international conferences of The League of Nations and the Pan Pacific Womens Conference; during World War ; she was appointed by the British Ministry of Munitions on working conditions of women and played a major role in the establishment of The Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy..Locally she was involved with the construction of Evarard Drive, the War Memorial at Warrandyte, the War Memorial Tower at Kangaroo Ground, and the Warrandyte Womens Hospital Auxiliary. She was a foundation member of the Catalysts, The Lyceum and the British Ex-service Womens Clubs and was interested in the arts, knowing many local artists. Contents Photocopy page of book: Paragraph about Professor William Alexander Osborne.
Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc
william alexander osborne, clement byrne christensen, william longstaff, sir john longstaff, t l handfield, bishop reginald stephen, nin christensen, ethel elizabeth osborne nee goodson, audrey osborne, gerard osborne, yrsa osborne, charis osborne, "lowestoft" at warrandyte, "the hall" at kangaroo ground, "woodlands" at kangaroo ground, p j mcmahon, faculty of medicine university of melbourne, the league of nations, pan pacific womens conference, everard drive, war memorial warrandyte, war memorial tower kangaroo ground, warrandyte womens hospital auxiliary, catalysts club, the lyceum, british ex-service womens clubs, penleigh boyd, clara southern, jo sweatman, commonwealth court of conciliation and arbitration, st vincent's hospital shool of dietetics
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, York Street, Diamond Creek, Swan Street Application 48223 P.N. Guy, Licensed Surveyor, 6 May 1929
application 48223, diamond creek (creek), eltham, main road, map, survey plan, swan street, york street
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, York Street, Bible Street, Bridge Street Application 46906 R.H. Woodcock, Licensed Surveyor, 18 March 1926
application 46906, bible street, bridge street, eltham, main road, map, survey plan, york street
Portion of land bounded by: Eltham Railway Station, Main Road, Luck Street, Arthur Street Application 4182/215 J.T. Robinson, Licensed Surveyor, 17 May 1926
application 4182/215, arthur street, eltham, eltham railway station, luck street, main road, map, survey plan
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, Franklin Street, Bible Street, Brougham Street Application 46839 R. Woodcock, Licensed Surveyor, 30 September 1925
application 46839, bible street, brougham street, eltham, franklin street, main road, map, survey plan
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, Eltham Railway Station Application 46785 J.T. Robinson, Surveyor, 7 May 1925
application 46785, arthur street, bible street, eltham, eltham railway station, luck street, main road, map, survey plan
Portion of land north of Luck Street bounded by: Main Road, Bible Street Application 9991 R. Woodstock, Land Surveyor, 7 January 1924
application 9991, bible street, eltham, luck street, main road, map, survey plan
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, York Street, Bible Street, Bridge Street Application 38629 Frederick Dudley Smith, M.C.E. Licensed Surveyor, 20 May 1911
application 38629, bible street, bridge street, eltham, main road, map, survey plan, york street
Portion of land bounded by: Main Road, John Street, Bible Street, Pitt Street Application 38858 K. Arndt, Licensed Surveyor, 12 August 1910
application 38858, bible street, eltham, john street, main road, map, pitt street, survey plan
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
