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.
This book was commissioned by the Parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Sunbury for a school reunion held in 2011. The main researcher on this book was Tracie Oldham.
A green book with white writing and sketch of a church on front cover.
Led by the Spirit
The laminated photograph of the certificate of appreciation was presented to Joseph Starkie in recognition of his 18 years of service to the community as a Councillor and Chairman of the Sunbury Waterworks Trust. It was signed on behalf of the residents and ratepayers of the Shire of Bulla.
The Joseph D. Starkie water fountain was erected in the town in recognition of his efforts in bringing a water supply to Sunbury.
A laminated photocopy of a certificate of appreciation.
bulla shire council, joseph starkie, sunbury waterworks trust, starkie, starkie memorial fountain, joseph leyden
The building in the photograph is the former Shire of Bulla offices in the Bulla township. They were built in 1867 and the first meeting took place in the new building on 27th November 1867. Regular council meetings took place there until 1901 when some council meetings were held in the Mechanics Institute (now the Memorial Hall) in Sunbury. In 1963 permanent Shire Offices were built in Macedon Street in Sunbury.
A non-digital coloured photograph with rounded corners of a double-fronted bluestone build with a slate roofing and a post and rail fence across the front of the property.
The church in the image is St. Mary's Church of England in Bulla after it was moved from its original location at the corner of Oaklands and Sunbury Roads to the Bulla township adjacent to the former Bulla Shire Officers. The move was necessary because the building was close to the international airport and its location interfered with the airport's signaling system and cracks were appearing in its structure from vibrations caused by lowlying aircraft.
A coloured non-digital photograph of a small bluestone church set in an open area with a line of gum trees in the background.
churches, st. mary's anglican church - bulla, bulla, tullamarine airport
The woodland area was photographed on the outskirts of the old Sunbury township.
The landscape featured in this image was typical of Sunbury's surrounds in the 19th and early years of the twentieth century.
A copy of a non-digital black and white photograph of an woodland area. Two men with a horse and cart are visible in the image.
VIEW OF SUNBURY
horses, drays, trees, c. nettleton
The building in the image was the original Shire of Bulla council offices where councillors met until 1901 when they relocated to Sunbury and conducted their meetings in the Mechanics Institute Hall later known as the Memorial Hall.
This building was originally the offices for the Bulla Roads Board and was the first council office built in the bulla shire'
A photocopy of a non digital black and white photograph with a cream border of a historic bluestone building.
council offices, bulla bulla township, bulla shire hall, bulla shire council, councillors, bluestone
The gardens in the image are at Rupertswood and originally covered 99 acres. They were designed by William Sangster.
A non-digital black and white photograph with a cream border, of extensive grounds set in a wide valley.
sir william john clarke, janet lady clarke, rupertswood mansion, william sangster, gardens, salesian college
The gardens in the photograph are in the grounds at Rupertswood, the former summer residence of Sir William John and Lady Janet Clarke. Originally the gardens covered 99 acres and included a man-made lake in the shape of a map of Australia.
A non-digital black and white photograph with a cream border of the lake and gardens in a spacious area with smaller buildings in the distanc.
gardens, william sangster, sir william john clarke, lady janet clarke, trees, salesian college
The gardens in the photograph were designed by William Sangster. When they were first constructed a tennis court, croqued lawns and an underground fernery were included in the landscape.
A non-digital black and white photograph with a cream border of a long winding pathway in a garden setting.
gardens, trees, salesian college, rupertswood battery, sir william john clarke, lady janet clarke
The photograph is of the lake and grounds at Rupertswood. When the lake was first constructed is was said to be in the shape of Australia. It was also the place where many a romance started as couples met while being rowed across it in a Venetian style gondola.
The lake at Rupertswood was a popular place where the Clarke family entertained their guests and was a significant landmark feature on the property.
A non-digital black and white photograph with a cream border of a large lake set in an expansive garden with a large mansion in the distance.
lakes, rupertswood mansion, gardens, sir wiliam john clarke, lady janet clarke
The photograph was taken showing the underside of the Macedon Street Bridge which spans the Jacksons Creek. It was constructed in the second half of the 1800s and replaced a pontoon that was used for river crossings.
A non- digital black and white photograph of two arched bluestone bridge spanning a watercourse.
In the 1980s John and Elizabeth Barnier were the owners of the Goonawarra Winery, located by Jacksons Creek and along Sunbury Road.
Goonawarra Winery is one of the first vineyards t6o be established in the district.
A mounted coloured photograph of Goonawarra Winery taken in 1986.
goonawarra winery, jacksons creek, sunbury, wine, barnier john, elizabeth barnier, grapes
It is a photograph of Goonawarra Winery that was first established by James Goodall Francis, who in 1863 applied to lease 26 acres of land on the condition that he plant vines on some of it. The property continued to be worked as a vineyard by him and his son, Wilfred, until the late 1920s when wool and mutton were production were preferred to wine production and the vines were pulled out. The Carmody family purchased purchased the property in 1961 and used it for grazing until 1976, when they replanted vines there. In the early 1980s, John and Elizabeth Barnier purchased the property and continued to run the property as a vineyard.
Goonawarra is one of the earliest vineyards and wineries to be established in Sunbury.
A non-digital coloured photograph of a large winery building.
goonawarra vineyard, john barnier, elizabeth barnier, james goodall francis, sunbury road, vineyards., winery
The couple in the photograph are Clyde and Edna Barr who lived in Barkly Street. Clyde was born in Brook Street, Sunbury in 1911. at the time this photo was taken ,Clyde had been living in Sunbury for 83 years. Mrs. Boardman was the midwife. Edna came to live in Sunbury in 1938 and boarded with her uncle, who was the policeman at the time. Clyde believes that when Edna married him, he was a good catch.
A non-digital sepia photograph mounted on cream paper of a couple standing under a tree in front of a weatherboard house.
clyde barr, edna barr, barkly street, sunbury, sunbury community health centre
Verna Mommsen is the lady in the photograph, who came to Sunbury from Bright. She and her husband managed Red Rock Farm from 1942. In later years they moved to Aitken Street in Sunbury township.
A non-digital sepia photograph mounted on cream paper of a lady wearing glasses. She is standing near a wooden stand, which has flowers on it.
verna momkmsen, red rock farm, sunbury
It is a photo of Ida Cockerill, who came to Sunbury in 1955. She lived in a property along Sunbury Road. She was a nurse for 35 years and was a surgeon's assistant during the war years at one of the large city hospitals.
A non-digital sepia photograph mounted on cream paper of a lady standing in front of a doorway and holding a little dog.
sunbury community health centre, shire of bulla, ida cockerill
The photograph is of Margaret Burns, a Sunbury resident, who was a publication officer with the government. When the photo was taken she was quoted as sayin, "It's hard to receive help when I've been 20 years independent. When I die, my body is going to science." Margaret used to meet with the Sundowners Group at the Sunbury Community Health Centre.
The Sundowners Group was a social organization where Sunbury's senior citizens met and enjoyed a variety of activities and outings.
A non-digital sepia photograph of a lady dressed in a jumper and holding onto an antique doll.
margaret barnes, sundowners group, sunbury community health centre
Joseph Eddy is the gentleman in the photographed. He was a member. As he had hearing problems he often used sign language.
A non-digital sepia photograph of an elderly man who is wearing a jacket and a striped jumper.
sunbury community health centre, joseph eddy, sundowners group
The couple in the photograph were members of the Sundowners Club, a social group for elderly residents run by the Occupational Therapy Dept. at Sunbury Community Health Centre in the 1990s.
A sepia photograph of a man and a lady. The man is wearing a fair isle jumper and is standing beside his wife who is seated.
sunbury community health centre, sundowners, shire of bulla
Joyce Jones is the lady in the photograph, who was a resident of the Westmeadows Caravan Park. While being photographed she made the following statements about her life - "I own my caravan, I'm independent." Other of her quotes included " A tit for tat, a deener in your pocket and a bit of dodger and you're not doing too badly."
This image is one of a collection of photographs of elderly residents within the former Shire of Bulla who used to attend a regular social function run by the Sunbury Community Health Centre.
A sepia photograph of a lady seated at a table in a caravan.
sunbury community health centre, shire of bulla, joyce jones
This is a photograph of Mrs. De Tolna, a longtime Sunbury resident who lived in O'Shanassy Street, Sunbury. It is one of a series of photographs of older Sunbury residents that were displayed at the Sunbury Community Health Centre.
A non-digital sepia photograph of a lady standing in front of a bookcase.
sunbury community health centre, mrs. detolna, shire of bulla
This is a photograph of Eileen Lancaster formerly Eileen McWilliams, who was a longtime resident of Sunbury and lived with her family in Barkly Street, Sunbury. The photo is one of a series of older residents that was displayed at the Sunbury Community Health Centre.
A non-digital sepia photograph of a lady sitting on a mobile scooter in a doorway.
eileen lancaster, sunbury community health centre, shire of bulla, childminding
This tin held a Lodge sparking plug.
Orange coloured rectangular small tin with black writing on the hinged lid. it has two small round holes and two long narrow cut outs on one side.
LODGE/FORD/PLUG/REUSE IF UNSEALED...
george evans collection, commercial packaging
These tins held the golden syrup which was made from sugar cane. The golden syrup was manufactured by the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd later known a CSR who had refineries in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. A tin of golden syrup was found in many households and used to spread on bread or crumpets to be eaten and was also used in cooking. This particular tin once empty looks as if may have been used to store possibly nuts and screws. Many of these tins once empty were put to other uses.
A round red and gold colour with gold and red print around the side of the tin. It has a lid on the top with black writing.
THE COLONIAL SUGAR REFINING CO.LTD/GOLDEN SYRUP/MADE FROM CANE SUGAR ONLY
food technology, golden syrup, households, george evans collection, commercial packaging
These leaflets were distributed free of charge to residents in the former Shire of Bulla. They listed thirty-one Australian native trees that were suitable to plant in gardens in the area as well as planting hints
The purpose of giving out free trees was to make residents aware of the importance of planting native flora in the area to encourage wild life.
A four page printed leaflet containing a list of suitable trees available to ratepayers living in the former Shire of Bulla.
bulla shire council, native trees, garden hints
This can with the printed wrapper was produced for the launching of the book 'Sunbury Australia's Greatest Rock Festival' in 2017.
A aluminium can with a green background paper wrapper with red and white writing and a drawing of a singer on the front. On the back there is writing, a picture and a bar code.. The can has not been opened and still retains liquid in it.
front: KEEP/SUNBURY'75/BEAUTIFUL/... back SUNBURY/AUSTRALIA'S GREATEST ROCK FESTIVAL/BOOK LAUNCH 2017/...
books, sunbury pop festival, festivals and celebrations, 1970s, 2010s, george evans collection
This unopened small bottle filled with port was produced to acknowledge the Sunbury Sub Branch of the Returned Services League of Australia's 70th Anniversary in 1993. The bottle has a short story of the Sunbury sub branch having been given official recognition on the 10th December 1923 by the RSL. Major William Alexander Morton D.S.O was the patron and also the first president of the Sunbury Sub Branch.
Small cream with brown spots ceramic half size bottle with a black seal covering top of bottle the seal has a very small chip out of seal. The contents are still in the bottle.
front: SUNBURY SUB BRANCH/70th ANNIVERSARY/1923-1993 back: The....; LEST WE FORGET
returned services league, sunbury r.s.l, anniversaries, celebrations, william alexander morton, 1920s, 1990s, george evans collection
R. A. Nelson ran a General store in O'Shannassy Street, Sunbury from 1908 until 1918 when the store was burnt down on 14 February 1918. A Robert Nelson with partner Richard Annear also ran a General Store in the same street from 1907 to 1910. Their store sold groceries, drapery, ironmongery, crockery, books, medicines, ammunition and produce. The bottle could have contained any number of fluids either produced or patented by R. A. Nelson.
A green half size possibly champagne bottle with a torn blue and white printed label. Label is edged with a blue leaf design border. The base is slightly indented with F & S LTD embossed on base.
on label: R.A. ../.. ANASSY ST
bottles, o'shanassy street, food technology, 1910s, r. a. nelson, general stores, george evans collection
This wine bottle was donated by Frank and Judy Hogan for use in the exhibition 'A History of Vineyards in Sunbury' held at the George Evans Museum in 1996. The Digger's Rest Vineyard was planted in 1987. With the help of winemaker Peter Dredge in 1994 the Digger's Rest vineyard was awarded two medals at the Victorian Wine Show.
Conventional green glass wine bottle with indented base. A gold, purple, white and black printed label on the front with a drawing of a gold digger on a log. a printed label. A printed label is on the back. There is a small foil label around top of neck of bottle. a gold and black stick on label with 1994 on the lower RH corner.
front label: Digger's Rest/VINEYARD/PINOT NOIR/Old Vineyard Road, Sunbury 3429...
digger's rest vineyard, wines, bottles, frank and judy hogan, 1980s, 1990s, george evans collection
A broadsheet copy of The Herald newspaper printed and distributed in 1945. There are 16 pages containing recent news, photographs and advertisements.
non-fiction
A victory edition of The Herald newspaper distributed across Victoria on 15th August 1945 proclaiming news of the end of WW2.
newspaper, world war 2, japanese surrender
An A3 size newspaper comprising 14 pages covering news of local and overseas interest as well as advertisements.
non-fiction
A copy of the Sun News Pictorial issued across Victoria on 8th May 1945 containing local and overseas news.
newspapers, world war 2, germany's unconditional surrender
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.
