Historical information

EDHS_04863 - Binder: Eltham Justice Precinct
1. Courthouse
1. Eltham Courthouse interesting facts
2. Plan and elevation drawings
3. Other courthouse plans and fittings 1880s – Brunswick, Maffra, Dunolly , Sunbury, Landsborough and Wodonga
4. Newspaper articles:
i. ELTHAM POLICE COURT. (1892, April 1). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60667022
ii. BREAKING A PUBLICAN'S LEG. (1900, July 13). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60688367
iii. ELTHAM COURT. (1901, March 1). Mercury and Weekly Courier (Vic. : 1878 - 1903), p. 3. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58578953
iv. ANNIE CHASES A TINKER. (1902, October 3). Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), p. 2 (MORNING.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64029968
v. ELTHAM POLICE COURT. (1927, May 6). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57754748
vi. ELTHAM POLICE COURT. (1927, May 20). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 3 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57754814
vii. Eltham Police Court (1931, January 9). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56734073
viii. Repairs to Eltham Police Station, The Advertiser (1929, May 24). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 2 (AFTERNOON.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57759907
ix. ELTHAM COURT. (1929, August 2). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4 (AFTERNOON.). Retrieved July 5, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57760345
x. See also Trove list https://trove.nla.gov.au/list/116634
5. Letter: Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Shire of Eltham, 1 July 1969 regarding potential replacement of Eltham Courthouse and the building’s historical significance and acknowledgement 10 July 1969
6. Letter: Shire of Eltham Historical Society to Law Department, 26 May 1972, re preservation of Eltham Courthouse and potential classification and acknowledgement 7 June 1972
7. Newspaper article: Strangers around, so Eltham sought protection by Marguerite Marshall, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, April 6, 1982, p2 (On reverse side, Top job for our Pauline, p1)
8. Eltham Courthouse Colour Scheme, Public Works Department, 10 September 1983
9. Newspaper article: Eltham Courthouse under threat of closure by Helen Gillman, Diamond Valley News, October 16, 1984
10. Newspaper article: Courthouse to close by Helen Gillman, Diamond Valley News, Tuesday, November 20, 1984, p1 (also on p2 an article about Diamond Valley Shire festivities for the State’s 150th)
11. We will keep your court – Kennett, Diamond Valley News (probable), c.Dec. 1984
12. Letter: Shire of Eltham to Shire of Eltham Historical Society, 15 March 1985, regarding potential for use of building as a museum and reply dated 17 April 1985 regarding Society’s interest in use of the building
13. Letter: Department of Conservation Forests & Lands to Shire of Eltham, August 1987, regarding expressions of interest in the building and letter from Shire (18 August 1987) to Society advising of same
14. Letter: Department of Conservation Forests & Lands to Shire of Eltham, 30 March 1988, advising Courthouse to be used by Eltham Youth Resources Centre and the rear section by other community groups. Noted that the historical society was suggested by Council as a future user of the adjoining police residence when Council first sought management of the building and that should be investigated. Includes Schedule of Repair and Maintenance Work (4 pages), Existing Conditions Survey 30/7/1987 (6 pages) and 1 page plan view diagram
15. Memo: Historic Places Section to Eltham Youth Resource Centre re paint analysis of Courthouse, 17/5/1988, (6 pages)
16. Newspaper article: Courthouse renovation by Jodie Haythorne, Diamond Valley News, November 23, 1992
17. National Trust of Australia Registration (classified 20 Oct 1977), printed March 2000
18. Letter: Heritage Victoria 28 Feb 2002 regarding the replacement of the Courthouse Stand (Witness Box)
19. Article: There’s still order in this stately court house, Eltham Shire (magazine), date unk., p22-23
20. Eltham Court House, Statement of Significance, Heritage Victoria Register, printed Nov 2004
21. Eltham 1860 Former Court House 730 Main Road Eltham, collated by Eltham District Historical Society Incorporated 2005 (4 pages)
22. Book Extract: Eltham, Historical Court Houses of Victoria by Michael Challinger, Palisade Press, 2001
23. Newspaper article: Courthouse rich with history by Harry Gilham, Nillumbik Mail, c.2001 (see also EDHS_03333)
24. Notes on history of site from Crown Reserve File Rs 12128, Municipal Buildings (Local Community Welfare Reserve) at Eltham, Department of Sustainability and Environment, April 2005 (4 pages)
25. Newspaper article: Historic building upgrade, Diamond Valley Leader, August 3, 2005, p17
26. Newspaper article: Courthouse regeneration secures boost, Valley Weekly, August 10, 2005 with picture of Harry Gilham, Steve Herbert and Greg Johnson
27. Newspaper article: Poets are summonsed, Diamond Valley Leader February 22, 2006, p37 features picture of Helen Lucas at the Eltham Courthouse
28. Newspaper article: Sharing a love of legalities, Diamond Valley Leader, March 1, 2006, p7 features a picture of Rob Hulls and Steve Herbert talking to students in the courthouse
29. Newspaper advertisement: Nillumbik Tender No. 2021-33, Building Restoration Works, Old Eltham Courthouse, The Age, November 7, 2020
30. Form: Police Officer’s Return To A Warrant Of Distress
31. Handwritten notes: three pages listing all 48 of the pigeon hole form listings in the cabinet in the courthouse

2. Police Quarters
1. 1971 Surveyors Plan of 728 Main Road and the Adjoining Courthouse
2. Letter: Shire of Eltham to Shire of Eltham Historical Society, 5 June 1981, requesting the society give consideration to the suitability of the existing buildings (former Vermin and Noxious Weeds Office, Department of Crown Lands and Survey) for historical purposes such as a museum
3. Minutes: Shire of Eltham Historical Society Committee Meeting, 10 June 1981 (2 pages) includes reference to possible use of building as a museum (also reference to Bills Horse trough to be retained)
4. Extract from Victoria Police Gazette 1930 with details of building and site
5. Newspaper article: Cubby haven, Diamond Valley News, October 28, 1991 about replica Police Station with picture of replica along with Monika Roitinger and Garry Bartlett outside the Police Station
6. Environment office up for sale? Mountain Views, Monday, June 12, 1995 (Nillumbik Shire Council proposing to sell property. Did not proceed as ownership held by the State of Victoria)
7. Extract from National Trust February 1998 edition, “Police Rescue” which states Heidelberg and Eltham Police Residences are the oldest known Police Residences in the Melbourne Metropolitan district
8. Newspaper article: The first police office by Harry Gilham, Nillumbik Mail, December 13, 2000 (also photocopy with notations on picture identifying buildings and Harry’s typed draft)
9. Fax Memo: Victoria Police List of Officers in Charge, Eltham Police Station, 1857-1991 onward, 21 Jan 2003
10. Former Police Quarters, Statement of Significance, Heritage Victoria Register, printed Nov 2004
11. Eltham 1860 Former Police Quarters 728 Main Road Eltham, collated by Eltham District Historical Society Incorporated 2005 (5 pages)
12. Report: Eltham District Historical Society to Living and Learning Nillumbik, 14 April 2010 regarding the poor state of condition of the former Police Residence
13. Photocopy of three photos of the former Police Residence, former Police Station (relocated to rear of site) and Stables, October 18, 1991

3. Lockup
1. Newspaper article: Heritage permit bid, Diamond Valley News, January 17, 2001 (also article “Eltham library tops”) includes picture of lockup located in Youth Road
2. Newspaper article: Old lockup in new site, Diamond Valley Leader, March 21, 2001, p15. Includes picture of Harry Gilham with lockup at justice Precinct
3. Letter: Victoria Police to Eltham District Historical Society, 20 March 1991 including laser print photo of lockup in 1963 at 23 Pryor Street
4. Fax: Graham Clark, Associated Crane Trucks Pty Ltd, 833 Main Road Hurstbridge; Quote 26.2.99 for $1,080 to move lockup from Youth Road to 728 Main Road

4. Local History Centre
1. Victoria Government Gazette: Photocopy, No. 165, Tuesday, December 7, 1858, establishment of a Court of Petty Sessions at Eltham, 7 December 1858
2. Victoria Government Gazette: Photocopy, September 16, 1859, contract issued for Police buildings at Eltham to Langridge and Co., McCarter, Baillie, Nicol and Co, Chadley, Amos and Co., Cameron, Payne, £1,150.7.0
3. Victoria Government Gazette: Photocopy, October 2, 1860, contract issued for Court of Petty Sessions at Eltham to James Duncan, £600
4. President’s Report, Eltham District Historical Society, Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, March 11, 1998 – covers the establishment of the Local History Centre and new home for the Society
5. Extract for EDHS Newsletter July 1998 – Eltham Local History Centre – Official Opening
6. Unveiling of 728 Street Sign, Speech notes by Cr Dianne Bullen, December 2000, includes invoice from John Sharp Signs Pty Ltd, 24/10/2000 and planning approval drawing dated 24/3/1999 reproduced in Newsletter No. 135 November 2000
7. Letter: Eltham District Historical Society to Living and Learning Centre, undated draft regarding being a member of the committee reviewing the development of the site
8. Notes from Rod Grant re funding of site development under the Community Jobs Program
9. Letter: Eltham District Historical Society to Nillumbik Living and Learning, 28 October 2004 re inclusion of the Society in enhancing the site under the Community Jobs Program
10. Letter: Department of Sustainability and Environment to Eltham District Historical Society, 28 February 2005 re preparing draft Conservation Plan and copy of cover letter in response 2 April 2005
11. Levels and Layout Plan, Nillumbik Shire Council, September 2005, AO copy
12. Letter: Department of Sustainability and Environment to Eltham District Historical Society, 12 September 2005 re Eltham Justice Precinct Conservation Management Plan
13. Letter: Living and Learning Nillumbik, 2 February 2006 to Eltham District Historical Society re forming a Committee to advise on the use, maintenance, management and preservation of the Justice Precinct
14. Minutes: Meeting of a Task group to explore the establishment of a Committee to manage the Eltham Justice Precinct, 20 December 2005 (with hand written notes)
15. President’s notes (EDHS), General Meeting item, 11 May 2006 pertaining to use and condition of the Eltham Justice Precinct
16. Paint estimates, Old Eltham Court House, undated
17. Notes from meeting 26 September (2006), Eltham Justice Precinct Committee
18. Notes from meeting 27 November (2006), Eltham Justice Precinct Committee
19. Terms of Reference for the Eltham Justice Precinct Committee, Draft for Living and Learning Committee Meeting 24 Jan 2007 (4 pages)
20. Newspaper article: Panel set up, Diamond Valley Leader, 7 March 2007
21. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 10 May 2007
22. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 5 July 2007
23. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 11 October 2007
24. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 7 February 2008
25. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 10 April 2008
26. Minutes: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 14 August 2008
27. Letter: EDHS (Sue Law) to Living and Learning, 6 September 2008 re proposed signage
28. Agenda: Meeting of Eltham Justice Precinct Subcommittee, 16 October 2008
29. Suggested guidelines for use of the Court House for exhibitions
30. Handwritten note re Ken Eckersal and Uniting Church of possible donation of church organ for sale, proceeds to be used for activities at the Justice precinct
31. One page typed notes on each of the buildings in the Eltham Justice Precinct

5. Miscellaneous
1. Photocopy from Pioneers & Painters (2 pages) covering the establishment of Police and Court of Petty Sessions at Eltham
2. Photocopy of photo looking northeast across Little Eltham buildings c.1910 with notes
3. Photocopy of J.H Clarke photo looking up Maria Street from near Dalton Street with notes identifying precinct buildings
4. Photocopy of photo of Court House and Police Quarters with cow outside from Heather Jenkins scrapbook with notes identifying buildings
5. Sketch and notes with dimensions for blue stone lockup including other miscellaneous handwritten notes
6. Unidentified heritage review details of Justice Precinct (c.2004)
7. Hand written notes of telephone conversation held with Dennis McKay (6 May 1997) re Council use of site
8. Flyer: Victoria Police Historical Unit
9. Photocopy of thumbnail images of various Justice Precincts (not identified)
10. Email correspondence, 4 and 10 January 2008; J. Connor to Council and Councillors pertaining to proposed new toilet facilities at rear of Courthouse annexe.

Physical description

Two ring lever arch binder, white with various photocopies, printouts, newspaper clippings

Inscriptions & markings

HG Folders 15/52/59 integrated