Historical information

Ernest James Andrew was born in Eltham on 6 July 1873 and died at his home shown here in Arthur Street Eltham on 29 March 1950 aged 76. His father was William Bravery Andrew who ran corn store in Eltham at the corner of Franklin Street and Main Road and was a member of the Eltham Shire Council. Ernest also became a councillor and Shire President. His brother was also named William Bravery Andrew. The house was known locally as "Cook's Cottage" because of its resemblance to Captain Cook's Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne.

Pages from a scrapbook belonging to Heather Jenkins (nee Cone) who lived as a child in the Police Residence at 728 Main Road, Eltham in the 1920s.

See also 00183

Home to Cr. Ernie Andrew, newsagent and his wife Ellen. Known locally as Cook's Cottage due to its resemblance to Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. Erected after Nov 1931 and before Dec 1945. The cottage was situated immediately adjacent to the east of the undergound carpark entrance off Arthur Street which used to be Commercial Place.

Ernie Andrew's wife, Ellen, died 13 July 1946 and Ernie died 29 March 1950.

Aerial photos show the cottage was still present in April 1963 but it had been demolished by April 1972 with a carpark extending from behind the new Eltham Village built on the former Shire Office site opposite through to Luck Street.

ELTHAM SHIRE OFFICES (1934, November 9). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56746996
ELTHAM SHIRE OFFICES
The offices of the Eltham Shire Council are now at Arthur street, Eltham. The shire secretary (Mr. P J. McMahon) had a busy time during the week transferring all the books, documents, etc. of the council from the temporary offices (the shire secretary's residence at Kangaroo Ground) to the new offices. The new premises are owned by Mrs. E. J. Andrew, from whom the council has leased them, and consist of a five roomed brick villa which has been completed to meet the council's requirements.

It would appear that this brick building was built on Andrew's land upon which he had loaned for use of Eltham's first Fire Station (Sep 1928 to June 1931) and based on aerial photos of Nov 1931, Dec 1945 and July 1951 was erected prior to Cook's Cottage.

Significance

Heather Jenkins was the daughter of Constable John Thomas Cone, Badge #3935 served at Eltham Police Station 1 May 1911 to 9 July 1922.

Physical description

Glued on a brown paper scrapbook page (torn from scrapbook) with 8 black and white/sepia photos of varying sizes, 1 newspaper clipping and one greeting card with printed sketch and handwritten captions in ink. On back of page is 1 black and white photo and a large newspaper clipping.