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Have a question? Contact Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Foundation members Diana Bassett-Smith and Russell Yeoman (Society Secretary since 1969) cut the ribbon.
Newly refurbished Eltham Local History Centre Open Day, 4 March 2017
Celebrating 50 years of the Society 1967-2017
Born Digital
The artist, Clifton Pugh, grew up in Briar Hill. He served in WWII and settled at Hurstbridge, building his own house and forming Dunmoochin artist colony. He married three times and has two sons. He painted the portraits of many eminent people. Contents Newspaper article: "This is the house that Cliff built", the Age, 2 May 1964. Description of Clifton and Marlene Pugh's house.. Magazine article: "Clifton Pugh: His home is a work of art", Woman's Day, 16 January 1894. Describes Clifton Pugh's house at Hurstbridge. Newspaper article: "A family tradition is continued". Diamond Valley News, 28 February 1984. Clifton Pugh's childhood and career. Magazine article: "Clifton Pugh's bush paradise", Home Beautiful, May 1989. Clifton Pugh's house and studio. Newspaper article: "Funeral drama shows the Pugh touch", The Age, 19 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Friends bid farewell to Pugh". Herald-Sun, 19 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Friends paint a lowing portrait". Herald-Sun, 19 October 1990. Funeral and obituary of Clifton Pugh. Newspaper article: "Montsalvat mourns passing of a great". Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1990. Clifton Pugh's funeral at Montsalvat. Newspaper article: "Loner who was a fair dinkum mate". Diamond Valley News, 23 October 1990. Obituary of Clifton Pugh. Newspaper article: "Pugh's last works", Tempo, The Age, 17 July 1991. Clifton Pugh was illustrating Helen Lunn's book 'The Digger's Mate' when he died. Newspaper article: "Dunmoochin's rich tradition to live on", Diamond Valley News, 29 October 1993. Dunmoochin Foundation Board to advertise lease of studios. Newspaper article: "Clean up for Cliff", Herald Sun, 8 December 1993. Exhibition of Clifton Pugh's work at LaTrobe's Art Museum. Newspaper article: "Hail rising of Phoenix", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 July 2005. Dunmoochin Foundation and official opening of buildings Phoenix I and Phoenix II after the 2001 bush fire. Newspaper article: "Legacy to the arts", Diamond Valley Leader, 10 August 2005. Dunmoochin Foundation and the rebuilding after the 2001 bush fire.
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clifton pugh, hurstbridge, adriane strampp, princess michael of kent, arthur boyd, john brack, charles blackman, fred williams, shane pugh, marlene pugh, professor jock marshall, briar hill victoria, cottles bridge victoria, turner family of briar hill, yandell family of briar hill, st helena church, st helena road, briar hill primary school, eltham high school, dunmoochin, campbell beardsell, david beardsell, ivanhoe boys grammar school, national gallery art school, hurstbridge grevillea, montsalvat, george dreyfus, kew city band, justus jorgensen, sir edward "weary" dunlop, prue acton, john howley, fay dunmore singers, derryn hinch, jeff kennett, tom uren, dennis gowing, matcham skipper, kyra skipper, gordon ford, hilary jackman, peter graham, robert marshall, john greaves, jenni mitchell, rodney roschollor, gough whitlam, sir john kerr, lionel murphy, manning clark, arts policy committee of victorian branch of the australian labor party, latrobe's art museum, rudy komon gallery, leonard french, jon molvig, rick armor, john olsen, latrobe university, donovan pugh, trevor welshman, australia council visual arts board, lesley alway, dailan pugh, paul barnett, helen nixon, helen lunn
Sarah Jane Proctor served as a nurse in WWI. She died in 1945 and is buried in Eltham Cemetery,. Contents Email T R Beaton, 5 April 2021 "Service history of 3079 Staff Nurse Sarah Jane Proctor".
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sarah jane proctor, sarah jane procter, mrs j h treloar, hmat morea, rms hiribides, rms kashgar, hospital ship valdivia, rms nestor, nurses club rooms anzac house
Jonas Prior was transported to Hobart in 1821, later moving to Victoria and died at Ferny Hill near Eltham in 1878. Contents Newspaper article: "Jonas Prior, convict, 1802-1878", Australian Family Tree Connections, February 2000. Biography of Jonas Prior and his family.
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jonas prior, thomas prior, mary prior, fichard finey, john pillo, prison hulk justicia, ship malabar, mr fleximoreof tasmania, dr garrett of pittwater tasmania, christina jane gregg, mary elizabeth prior, thomas john prior, margaret jane prior, harriet ann prior, amelia prior, caroline prior, susannah prior, johan prior, william prior, charlotte prior, ferny hill eltham
Margaret Powell taught and exhibited pottery, to hold her first solo exhibition at her studio home, Haldane Road, Eltham. Contents Newspaper article: "First solo show", No masthead, no date. Margaret Powell's career as a potter.
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margaret powell, haldane road eltham, diamond valley arts society
Graham and Glynn Pritchard celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2008. Contents Newspaper article: "Faith has helped couple", Diamond Valley Leader, 7 May 2008. Life details of Glynn and Graham Pritchard, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary at St Margaret's Church, Eltham.
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glynn pritchard, graham pritchard, st margaret's church eltham, glynn stephens
Reg Preston was a ceramicist. Contents Flier, 1991, Reg Preston Ceramics, A Retrospective exhibition. Seeking works in private collections. Letter Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, to Eltham Historical Society, 29 July 1992. Enclosed article about Reg Preston for newsletter, hoping to locate work in private collections. Flier, ."Forefathers of Australian Pottery, 1821 to 1910", exhibition held at Bundoora Homestead,. Flier, Floor talk on exhibition "Forefathers of Australian Pottery, 1821 to 1910", 23 February 2002, exhibition held at Bundoora Homestead.
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reg preston, australian pottery
Jeff Prentice attended Eltham Primary School 1946-1952. Contents Typed manuscript: "School Days at Eltham Primary" by Jeff Prentice. Letter: Jeff Prentice to Eltham District Historical Society, 1 March 2005. Plans to write a history of Eltham. Newsletter, Eltham District Historical Society, No 173, March 2007. Jeff Prentice's memories of Eltham Primary School days.
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jeff prentice, eltham primary school, john arnaud, alan pitman, chris jarvis, ken docherty, max forster, sydney stevenson, david bell, braidwood arthur street eltham, adlingtons paddock eltham, stan jobbing
John Porter owned land at the junction of the Plenty and Yarra Rivers, leased to Thomas Mundy. Contents Photocopies: Victorian Parliamentary Papers, 1864-1865, Vol, 3, No. 22, "Reports of Collectors of Agricultural Statistics", pp95-96. Handwritten notes: On George Porter, John Alfrey,
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john porter, plenty river, yarra river, thomas mundy'henry stooks, john brown, diamons creek, aitken's creek, evelyn county, george porter, john alfrey
Meredith Plain is an Eltham sculptor; co-exhibitor Jane Annois is a Warrandyte sculptor. Contents Newspaper article: "Turning heads", Diamond Valley Leader, 2 November 2005. Meredith Plain and Jane Annois exhibiting at a Pottery Expo in Federation Square. Newspaper article: "Meredith puts the boot in", Diamond Valley Leader, 27 August 2008. Meredith Plain exhibited in the Association of Sculptors of Victoria exhibition at Montsalvat.
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meredith plain, association of sculptors of victoria, montsalvat, federation square, alistair knox mudbrick studio, eltham college, holmesglen tafe chadstone, jane annois
Chris and Mary-Lou Pittard, and their daughter Jessie, are ceramicists. Contents Newspaper article: "Students put up mural", Diamond Valley Leader, 15 August 2007. Mary-Lou Pittard, artist in residence at Ivanhoe Grammar School, with the students, created a tile mural. Newspaper article: "Sculptor takes prize", Diamond Valley Leader, 7 July 2010. Chris Pittard wins annual Nillumbik arts prize. Newspaper article: "Thanks for the memories", Warrandyte Diary, February 2022. Mary-Lou Pittard worked with Warrandyte senior citizens on ceramic mural. Flier: Chris and Mary-Lou Pittard Studio Gallery [no date] Newspaper article: "Artistic talent on show", Diamond Valley Leader, 7 March 2018. Jessie Pittard took part in Nillumbik Artists Open Studios program.
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mary-lou pittard, chris pittard, ivanhoe grammar school, round square, montsalvat, nillumbik arts prize, jessie pittard, ceramicists, warrandyte, anderson's creek now warrandyte, warrandyte uniting church peace wall, warrandyte community hall, nillumbik artists open studios
Anne Phipps grew up and went to school in St Andrews. Contents Newspaper article: "St Andrews as it used to be", Diamond Valley News, 8 November 1983. Anne Phipps remembering St Andrews from 1937 onwards.
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anne phipps, st andrews victoria, children's games, arbor day, gold at st andrews
Wayne Phillips was Liberal MLA for Eltham. Contents Newspaper article: "Liberal MLA for Eltham", Diamond Valley-Whittlesea Advertiser, 12 Jan 1996. Wayne Phillips, Liberal MLA for Eltham, announced grants for local schools.
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Artist Robert Phillips of Lower Plenty organised a performing arts festival to aid tsunami relief. Contents Newspaper article: "Humanitarian joins fundraising effort", Diamond Valley Leader, 12 January 2005. Robert Phillips is organising a performing arts festival to aid tsunami relief.
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robert phillips, heidelberg school of heritage artists, 2005 boxing day tsunami
Dr Phillips had land on Aitken's Creek, near Arthur's Creek by the Greensborough Road where gold had been found in 1864. Contents Photocopies: Victorian Parliamentary Papers, 1864-1865, Vol, 3, No. 22, "Reports of Collectors of Agricultural Statistics", pp95-96.
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dr phillips, greensborough road, kangaroo ground, tarrawarra, arthur's creek, county of evelyn, warrandyte
Bruce Petty was a newspaper cartoonist as well as making other graphic artworks. Contents Newspaper article: "Renowned 'scribbler' Bruce Petty dies at 93", The Age, 7 April 2023. Obituary of Bruce Petty.
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bruce petty
Henry Petrie was a founding member of the Montmorency community. His daughter Hilda Fraser died in 1986. The Petrie family is related to the McCaw family. Contents Newspaper article: "Stalwart dies, 75", Diamond Valley News, 3 June 1986. Obituary of Hilda Fraser, daughter of Henry Petrie.
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henry petrie, petrie park montmorency, hilda fraser nee petrie, presbyterian chirch at st andrews, malcom fraser, christine fraser, iain fraser, mccaw family
FINISH Contents Order of Service: William "Bill" Mark Penna, 2010.
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william mark penna, bill penna
Elizabeth Pender was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community. Contents Newspaper article: "Helping the have-nots". Diamond Valley Leader, 12 October 2005. Beth Pender, Eltham. Newspaper article: "A lifetime dedicated to service of others". Diamond Valley Leader, 3 February 2007. Elizabeth Pender awarded an Australia Day honour.
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elizabeth pender, oxfam community aid abroad book fairs, eltham brotherhood of st laurence op shop, beth pender
Nicholas Pelling, son of Charis Pelling, lived at Kangaroo Ground, and was active in local causes, including the Country Fire Authority, being awarded a National Medal in 1992. Contents Newspaper article: "CFA man 'someone who cared'". Diamond Valley Leader ,14 July 2004. Obituary of Nicholas Pelling.
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nicholas pelling, charis pelling, woodlands kangaroo ground victoria, the hall kangaroo ground victoria, war memorial tower committee kangaroo ground, andrew ross museum kangaroo ground, plenty valley community radio, kangaroo ground telephone exchange, anna pelling, country fire authority, jeff newland, kerri newland, ron newland
Charis Pelling, daughter of Professor William Osborne and Dr Ethel Osborne, was active in local activities, including being Eltham Shire's first female president and a councillor. Contents Newspaper articles: About Whittlesea Show 1964, Diamond Valley News, 1964 (photocopy). Magazine article: "A woman who gets things done", The Australian Women's Weekly, 26 October 1966. Charis Pelling's life and activities. Note card: Thanks for sympathy following destruction of "Woodlands" and "The Hall" in 8 January 1969 bushfire. Newspaper article: "Quietly proud of her life", Diamond Valley News, 19 June 1984. Charis Pelling's childhood and activities. Note card: Thanks for sympathy following death of Edwin Oswald Pelling. Newspaper notice: Death notice, Charis Meta Aleander Pelling. Order of Service: Celebration of life of Charis Meta Aleander Pelling, 2006. Letter: Eltham District Historical Society to Charis Pelling, 21 June 1995, Invitation to be presented with certificate to her as foundation President of the Society. Note card: Charis Pelling, Thanks for presentation. Newsletter: Eltham District Historical Society, number 172, January 2007. Obituary of Charis Meta Alexander Pelling.
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charis pelling, whittlesea show, kangaroo ground victoria, michael pelling, margaret pelling, nicholas pelling, deborah pelling, warrandyte water works trust, eltham arts council, eltham old people's committee, eltham art show, shillinglaw cottage preservation committee, woodlands kangaroo ground victoria, gareth jones roberts, peter glass, alkis astrix, matcham skipper, mervyn horton, the flavor of eltham, bush fire january 1969, the hall kangaroo ground victoria, professor william osborne, dr ethel osborne, william pelling, alistair knox, harold bartlett, gerald yunken, edwin oswald pelling, charis meta alexander pelling
Pamela Pedersen, daughter of Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, became an athlete, and lives in Eltham Contents Newspaper article: "An inner flame for her people", Diamond Valley Leader, 23 November 2005. Pamela Pedersen to carry Commonwealth Games torch baton.. Newspaper article: "Family of champions", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Pamela Pedersen's life and family. Newspaper article: "Giant steps", Diamond Valley News, 15 August 2007. Cover picture and summary for article within newspaper.
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pamela pedersen, pastor sir doug nicholls, heidelberg women's athletics club, adam petersen, victorian aboriginal community controlled health organisation, kim petersen, indigenous sportsperson of the year 2005, yorta yorta elder, children's koori court
Margo Kroyer-Pedersen, who lived at View Hill Crescent, Eltham, was a bird artist. Contents Newspaper article: "Jetset Swifty hitches a ride home", The Sun, 5 May 1978. An injured spine-tailed swift, nursed by Margo Pedersen, to be flown by Qantas to Tokyo to catch up with migration pattern. Newspaper article: "Bird lover's lively topic", Diamond Valley News, 19 June 1984. Margo Kroyer-Pedersen is an expert in Australian native birds. Newspaper article: "Margo's at home to all her furry friends", Diamond Valley News, 31 May 1988.Margo Kroyer Pederson [sic] cares for native wildlife. Newspaper article: "A conservationist and artist", The Age, 29 November 1997. Obituary of Margo Kroyer-Pedersen. Print-out Google search, 31 December 2008, for Margo Kroyer Pederson [sic]
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margo kroyer-pedersen, margo pedersen, view hill crescent eltham, were street theatre, jeanette wightman
William Austin Page was, in the 1868 Post Office Directory, a resident of Eltham township, a storekeeper (W & C Page, at Evelyn) and a petitioner for Eltham District Road Board and Eltham police station. He died 1884, aged 75, in South Yarra. Contents Notes no date or author: Research on William Austin Page.
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william austin page, w & c page store at evelyn, eltham police station, eltham district road board
Joy Peck was an artist and husband Hal was a teacher at Eltham High School and a potter. They had three children: Tony, Gina and Marcus. Joy was born in Ballarat but grew up in Warrnambool; died 3 February 2008. She trained at the National Gallery School and exhibited from 1960 until 1997; her Melbourne galleries included Realities and Manyung. In Eltham, the Pecks lived in a mud brick house, later moving to Moor Street in Fitzroy. Contents Newspaper article: "Ode to Joy", The Australian, 22 February 2008. Obituary by Phillip Adams of his friend Joy Peck. Letter Sue Law to Phillip Adams, 25 March 2008, regarding Phillip Adams' article about Joy Peck. Letter Phillip Adams to Sue Law, 16 April 2008, acknowledging. Newspaper article: "At home in the fantastic, yet her work was also surprisingly gritty", The Age, 3 April 2008. Obituary of Joy Peck by Jim Davidson.
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joy peck, phillip adams, hal peck, eltham high school, montsalvat, justus jorgensen, inga clendinnen, betty burstall, la mama theatre carlton, tony peck, gine peck, marcus peck, eltham mud brick buildings, realities art gallery, manyung art gallery, clifton pugh, barry humphries, john clendinnen, tim burstall, moor street fitzroy
When Lilian Maud Pearson was 12 on 16 June 1933, her mother, Amelia (Millie), died; her sister Thelma had died a year earlier. Lilian worked at Sutherland Homes and later at the Diamond Creek pub to help support the family. She enjoyed the dances held by the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade and Panton Hill Cricket Club. Her best friend was Alice Grandy and her dance partners included Ken Stevenson, Jeff Brock (father of Peter Brock) who eventually opened Hurstbridge Garage service station, and Mick Rumney. Lilian married Mick who's real name was Charles Robert Rumney. Contents Paper, no date: "Lilian Maud Pearson" by Sue Rumney. Biography of Lilian Maud Pearson, mother-in-law of Sue Rumney.
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lilian maud pearson, lilian maud rumney (nee pearson), sue rumney, amelia pearson, millie pearson, thelma pearson, sutherland homes, joe pearson, nookie pearson, diamond creek pub, diamond creek fire brigade, panton hill cricket club, ken stevenson, jeff brock, peter brock, hurstbridge garage, alice grandy, mich rumney, charles robert rumney
Michael Peck taught art to migrant children in London before returning to Australia; his work then explored the idea being a refugee. By 2011, his work explored his relationship with his two grandfathers who both served in World War II. Contents Newspaper article: "On venturing to find a fit", Diamond Valley Leader, 4 June 2008. Painter Michael Peck describes his technique and objectives. Newspaper article: "Grandfather's legacy", Diamond Valley Leader, 23 November 2011. Michael Peck's latest artistic work explores his relationship with his two grandfathers.
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michael peck
Linda Pearson had lived and worked in Eltham for 23 years when she stood, in 2016, for the Nillumbik Council election. Contents Election flier: "Linda Pearson". Election flier 2016 Nillumbik Council Election.
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linda pearson, nillumbik council elections
Liana Peak began her involvement with Eltham Pony Club at age 6 and, aged 19, was awarded the Pony Club Association of Victoria's Award of Merit for her service to Eltham Pony Club and the sport in general. Contents Newspaper article: "State honour for young rider", Diamond Valley Leader, 26 October 2005. Liana Peak received the Pony Club Association of Victoria's Award of Merit for her service to Eltham Pony Club and the sport in general.
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liana peak, eltham pony club, pony club association of victoria
Daisy Pearce played for Australia in the 2006 international series in Ireland, after becoming captain of the Darebin women's football club, and in 2007 played in the E J Whitten Legends game at the Docklands stadium. She was named in the All-Australian team and played for her local Eltham club. She was the first Number 1 pick in the 2013 AFLW draft, and captained the Melbourne Football Club since the first season in 2017. Later she was a Channel Seven commentator on the men's game and, in 2024, she became AFLW head coach at West Coast. Contents Newspaper article: "Not too young to be a legend", Diamond Valley Leader, 13 June 2007. Daisy Pearce to play Australian Rules at the Docklands stadium. .Newspaper article: "Daisy is starting to bloom", Diamond Valley Leader, 25 July 2007. Daisy Pearce aiming to be her club's best and fairest. Newspaper article: "League of her own: Daisy Pearce can feel the change", The Weekend Australian Magazine, 13 February 2021. Daisy Pearce to play Australian Rules at the Docklands stadium. Newspaper article: "Pearce lands top job at the Eagles", The Age, 12 December 2023. Daisy Pearce to be AFLW head coach at West Coast in 2024 and continue as commentator for Channel Seven.
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daisy pearce, aflw, e j whitten legends games, west coast aflw, darebin women's football club, eltham women's football club, melbourne club afwl
Cr Geoff Paine is the Nillumbik Shire Councillor for Wingrove Ward for 2020-2024. He was elected to Council in 2020, and served as Deputy Mayor in 2022-23. Geoff Paine played the doctor Clive Gibbons in the "Neighbours" television series. Contents Newspaper article: "Last drinks: Ramsay Street veteran Geoff Paine reflects on the end of an era", The Age Green Guide, 21 July 2022. Geoff Paine's reflections on the end of "Neighbours" television series.
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geoff paine, "neighbours" television series
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.
