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.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society Inc.
Aerial view of Cotswold Valley, Menzies Creek. B&W photos taken from light plane. Paddocks and treed areas are visible. Two houses are in the centre of the photo, presumably the Breen farmhouse on Jacksons Hill Road. The tip of the plane's left wing is also visible.
Set of digital copies of photos from the Breen family archive.
Black and White photograph showing 3 men who have been cutting hay. Handwritten in white on the lower edge of the photo is: 'Breen Bros cutting hay 3 ton to the acre with a Deering at Holly Hill, Ferny Creek, 15-1-16.' and '85.' Photo shows a 3 horse team harnessed to a wagon. A man sits on hay on the wagon. He is loosely holding a whip. Beside him are a man and a boy who stand between sheaves of hay. All three are wearing trousers, waistcoats and shirts with sleeves rolled up. The men are wearing hats and the boy is wearing a flat cap. Where they are standing there is hay stubble. Beyond the horse team the crop is still standing 3 trees are in the background. They appear to be dead.
'Breen Bros cutting hay 3 ton to the acre with a Deering at Holly Hill, Ferny Creek, 15-1-16.' and '85' are written in white on the original photo.
B&W photo showing Smoko at Avards property, Emerald, Victoria. A group of four mensitting in a paddock, drinking tea and smoking. They are in shirtsleeves and are wearing hats. Left to right: Ron Asling, George Avard, Albert Jeffery, and Tom Breen.
B&W photo of the Breen family at home in Menzies Creek. The family group comprises an older man in a three-piece suit, who has white hair and moustache, three women standing in a doorway to a lattice-covered verandah, are younger man identified as Ted Breen (right hand side), and two small boys. The Group stands in front of a weatherboard and fibro-cement house.
B&W photo showing Tom Breen with two other men (unidentified) beside the root ball of a large tree. Tom Breen is perched on the root ball. They are all dressed in casual work clothes and have a shovel, pickaxe and other tools.
B&W photo showing Jack Breen and a horse. They are standing in long grass with bushes in the background. Jack is wearing dark jodhpurs, a check shirt, a pale jacket with dark sleeves, and a hat. The horse is dark with a white face.
B&W photo of Ethel Breen nee Prince. Ethel stands near a wire fence with paddocks behind her. She is wearing a linen suit, short-sleeved and belted. Her hair is ear-length and she is looking off to the left side of the photo.
B&W photo showing the Cotswold Valley, Menzies Creek. It shows fenced paddocks, trees and hedges dotted around. A tall treefern in the foreground. A wooded hill in the background.
Photograph of debutantes at Belgrave ball in 1951 or 1952. (FRONT ROW L to R) 1.?, 2.?, 3.?, 4.?, 5.?, 6. Isabel Haines (who later married Mr Connell who worked for the SEC). (MIDDLE ROW L to R) 1.?, 2.?, 3.?, 4.?, 5.?, 6. Ferntree Gully Shire councillor Violet Lambert, 7.?, 8.Glenda Reid, 9.?, 10. Barbara Haig. (BACK ROW, L to R) 1.?, 2.?, 3.?, 4.?, 5.?, 6. Geoff Beasley, 7. Royce Beasley, 8.?, 9. Eric Taylor, 10.?, 11.?, 12.?, 13.?. They are seated and standing in front of decorations of foliage. Behind the back row, part of a sign can be seen, advertising Art Franklin's Band and the phone number Belgrave 36. Also reverse of photo showing photographer's stamp, 'D. R. Pearce/Belgrave Studio/Phone 64'.
Colour photo of Rowan Matta, aged one, being held by her mother, Rhiannon Matta, out the front of the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society's building prior to Rowan getting her vaccinations at the Progress Hall next door. Rowan is wearing a red dress with a yellow stars -and-moon pattern over a white shortsleeved top, and Rhiannon is wearing a black sleeveless top. The society's hall and their church in the background are still in the condition they were in when moved from Belgrave South School. On the door of the hall is a handwritten sign, 'Historical Society'. Photo taken by Marian Matta.
Black and white photo of the Belgrave South Cubs taken between 1976 and 1978, probably at the Belgrave South oval. Photo and info supplied by Martin Kirby on 20th June1993. Back row: Baloo (Lyn Lashmar), Peter Wragg, Gavin Smith, Brett Lashmar, Grant Fuller, Phillip Denby, Kaa (Kathie), Martin Kirby. Middle row: David Kirby, Andrew Van Vloten, Michael Dowling, Damian Argoon, Akeila, Nicholas Van Vloten, Geoff Fowler, Damian Vanwray. Front row: Matthew Hempol, Ian Burke, David Cummings, Mowgli (Alan Quincey), Allister Miller, Brian Fuller. Also sheet with names.
Black and white photo showing the Narre Warren East Methodist Church in 1968 being backed onto a block on the north side of Wellington Rd near the intersection with (now) Edebohls Rd. It was moved from a site closer to Kerrs Park. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived on Wellington Rd, Narre Warren East. Also mud map showing where the church was moved from and to.
Black and white photo of a steam-driven tractor being driven down Duffys Rd, Narre Warren East. Steam is rising about the tractor. There is at least one other person on the tractor apart from the driver, possibly a woman and a boy. The driver lived further down Duffys Rd. His house was moved prior to work beginning on the Cardinia Reservoir. A sedan is driving behind the tractor. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived on Wellington Rd, Narre Warren East.
Black and white photo ten students at Narre Warren East School on its last day before closing permanently in December 1987. The children are sitting and standing in front of the school building which has a sign on its wall reading "NARRE WARREN/EAST/PRIMARY SCHOOL". An outside light is on the wall above the sign. On the right is a short flight of steps to the classroom entrance and on the left is a water tank. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived next door to the school.
Black and white photo of the Eastern Regional Libraries' mobile van parked at Narre Warren East School. The van's steps and side extension are in place. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived next door to the school.
Black and white photo showing Greg Boothroyd, son of the photographer, looking at the camera as he stands on a low hill above the carpark. Behind him is a man in a peaked cap who is looking at him. Another man in a suit is watching proceedings. He has paper or similar tucked under his left arm. Another boy is running behind Greg. A large group of people is walking down a path to the left.
Three members of the official party watch on as the 'first' blasting takes place at Cardinia Reservoir, May 1970. It is clear from the extensive earthworks below the blast site that work has already commenced.
Black and white photo of the opening ceremony to mark the beginning of works at Cardinia Reservoir, May 1970. The official party is seated on a small podium beneath a temporary marquee. The Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, is addressing the audience from behind a wooden podium. Seated behind him are several men including Alan Croxford, then Chairman of the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works.
A set of four black and white photos of the official opening of works at Cardinia Reservoir, Narre Warren East, May 1970. The photos were taken by Edna or Mick Boothroyd of Wellington Rd, Narre Warren East and were brought by Edna to the first display of the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society on 20th June 1993.
Black and white photo showing the carpark at the Cardinia Reservoir site on the day of the official ceremony for the start of works in May 1970. Several dozen cars and one bus can be seen in the carpark, and groups of people are gathered there. In the foreground members of the official party can be seen. Between them and the carpark is a wide strip of long grass.
Black and white photo of the pupils and teacher of Narre Warren East School in 1965. Twenty children sit and stand in three rows. The Head Teacher, Jim Rees, stands in the centre of the back row. Trees and a white wooden railing are visible behind them. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived next door to the school.
Black and white poto of entire enrollment a Narre Warren East School in 1962. Thirty-five children sit and stand in four rows. Trees are visible behind them. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived next door to the school.
Black and white photo of the entire enrollment at Narre Warren East School in 1959. Thirty-one children sit and stand in four rows with trees and hills in the background. Photo copied from Edna Boothroyd whose family lived next door to the school.
Narre Warren East School operated from 1912 to 1987. The school building on Wellington Rd, Narre Warren East now functions as a childcare centre.
A set of five colour photos showing Cardinia Dam beginning to fill after its completion in 1973. One photo shows smoke or possibly dust rising on a distant hillside. The set was donated to the society by David Howe.
A set of four colour photos showing the area around where Cardinia Reservoir is now located. The photos show various views of the hillsides and valleys prior to the damming of Cardinia Creek. Each photo has 'Belgrave Cardinia Creek' handwritten on the back. They date from prior to May 1970. The set was donated to the society by David Howe.
'Belgrave Cardinia Creek' handwritten on the back of each photo.
Black and white photo of the Smith family house on Park Drive just past Belgrave Lake Park. The House appears to have an enclosed verandah. A man, possibly Oscar Smith, is looking out of the window and a second person, possibly Pam Harris's sister, is also looking out. Below them, two young people, a boy and a smaller girl, are standing in the garden. This was possibly the caretaker's place. '1627' is stamped on the back of the photo. The photo probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-1983 & 1987-1988.
Black and white photo of Terry Smith, Pam Harris's younger brother, aged about 6 or 7, during the building of a septic tank for the caretaker's house at Belgrave Lake Park. Terry is sitting in a concrete mixer. On the ground are bags of concrete. A pile of sand is on a tarpaulin. Behind Terry there are shrubs and small trees and behind them are tall trees on a steep hillside. The Belgrave Reservoir is at the bottom of the slope. A house can be seen in the distance, possibly the house visible in B0399. Terry and Pam's father, Oscar Smith, built the caretaker's house, selling it in 1960 for £1250. The photo probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-1983 & 1987-1988.
Black and white photo showing three adults and two children with a horse and cart. Mr Archibald William Muirhead, of 7 Colby Drive, Belgrave Heights (then called Glen Rd) stands to the left of the cart with his left hand resting on the wheel and his right hand on his hip. His left leg is crossed in front of his right leg. He is wearing a light-coloured suit. Sitting in the cart are two women and a boy and a girl. The girl is Pam Harris. They are on a dirt road with trees on either side. Behind them is a cleared area with more trees in the background. The photo was taken on Glen Road close to Monbulk Creek. On the back of the photo is printed '1627'. It probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-1983 & 1987-1988.
Black and white photo taken at Fairy Dell in Belgrave Lake Park. There is felled timber in the foreground and what appears to be a plaid blanket lying to one side next to three or more long objects. Two kookaburras sit on the logs. In the background is a cleared area and a small covered eating area where some people are seated. On the back of the photo is printed '1920'. It probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-1983 & 1987-1988.
Black and white photo showing six children and a dog seated around a water tank. Two girls an a boy are sitting on top of the tank. One of the girls is Pam Harris. The girls are wearing jumpers and long pants. Three boys are sitting on the tank stand. At least two of the boys are also wearing long pants. They are holding a small dog, either a dachshund or a spaniel. There is a low building behind the tank. There are trees in the background. The house where the tank is situated is the white house visible in B0399 which belonged to Laura (surname unknown). On the back of the photo is printed '1532'. It probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-1983 & 1987-1988.
Black and white photo showing a group of people on the spillway of Belgrave Reservoir (at the time in the Belgrave Autocamp which is now called Belgrave Lake Park). The photo is taken from a person in a boat, the prow of which is visible at the bottom of the image. Three older boys are crouched to the left of the image. All are wearing shorts, shirts, and shoes with long socks, and two have pullovers. In the middle of the photo is a man with three children. The man is crouching. The children are in a huddle. To the right of the image are two adults standing on the spillway. The person on the right is male but the other's gender is uncertain. Between them and the children is what looks like a large portable radio. Behind the group is a heavily treed area which includes three or more white-trunked trees close to the spillway. In the distance is a white house with a verandah running across the front. This house belonged to Laura (surname unknown) before WW2. The house appears to be (now) 30 Judkins Ave.The photo has a white border and on the back is printed '1627'. It probably dates to the 1940s and is part of a collection of family photos donated by Pam Harris, Shire of Sherbrooke President, 1982-3 & 1987-1988.
A set of six small photos donated to the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society by Pam Harris (nee Smith), Shire of Sherbooke councillor 1979-1988. They show the Smith holiday home in Belgrave and surrounding areas in the 1940s.
Black and white photo showing a large family group in a flower field. In the background there are low hills with cleared paddocks and forested areas. According to the National Archives of Australia: 'Land was life for nurseryman Theo Spykers and his ancestors who had tilled the soil for generations; good land to own and to pass on to sons and their sons. At 42 Theo had one and a half acres near Rotterdam for a prosperous nursery, but he could only rent it and his family was growing. So, in 1948, Theo left his wife and six children at their home and set off by himself for Australia. Within a year he had paid a deposit on a broken-down property of 35 acres in the Dandenong ranges. His family joined him and they started to rehabilitate their new property. Mr and Mrs Spykers and twelve of their thirteen children pick chrysanthemums for sale in Melbourne, a city of 1,750,000. The children are; Theo, 20; Gerald, 15; Niko, 8; Frank, 5; Adolf, 22; Corrie, 11; Ria, 18; Terisa, 4; Anthony, 7; Tommy, 2; Elly, 10; Bill, 16.' Mr & Mrs Spykers are each holding one of the smaller children. This farm was on the corner of Birds Rd and Avon Rd, Avonsleigh. On the NAA records, Theodorus Gerardus Spykers arrived in Melbourne on the Muiderkerk on 27th February 1948. Black and white photo showing 15 year old Gerald Spykers carrying bundles of chrysanthemums tied ready for market. He is at the family farm on the corner of Birds Rd and Avon Rd, Avonsleigh.
Black and White Photograph of the Narre Warren East shop, possibly taken 1953-1956, featuring a building at the top of a driveway. About seven cars are parked out the front of the building. The shop has a high-pitched roof, a central door, and large windows or a verandah. Under the left windows is an advertisement for Swallows ice cream. There are trees surrounding the shop. This was the first and only store in Narre Warren East. It is now a house on Wellington Road. The home and store was built by Bert Dorning, and the Dornings opened and ran the store.
Photograph features a Graham Paige car at Lysterfield Reservoir. Bill Lord is dressed in dark trousers, open-necked shirt (with rolled-up sleeves), and a fedora. Ann Lord in a patterned summer dress. Bill Slingo junior in dark shorts, light shirt and sunhat, and Bill Slingo Senior in trousers with braces, a white shirt and a peaked cap. They are seated on a bench or wall. The Lords are seated on a satin-edged blanket. Behind the group a dam wall is visible. Photo was most likely taken by Alice Lord on the same day as VSSHP0267.03. .
Photo of two women, a man and a boy posed in front of a Graham Paige car at Lysterfield Lake. This photo appears to have been taken on the same day as VSSHP0267.04 and was probably taken by Bill Lord.
Photograph features two men in hats standing side by side in a paddock with trees in the background.
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.
