Historical information

Originally situated on the northwest corner of Ely and Porter streets, Eltham.

Incorrectly titled by the artist as "Old School House"

Newsletter No. 189 November 2009
Donation:
Lesley Rickards of South Australia has made a donation to the Society of a painting by her father Ronald Coudrey, who was a well-known artist in that state. The water colour painting reproduced below, is titled "Old School House, Eltham" but has been identified as an old cottage that once stood in Ely Street Eltham near the Eltham High School.

In the late 1970s and early 80s this building was the subject of a campaign by our Society with the objective of its preservation. It had been identified as having associations with Eltham pioneer Frederick Falkiner. Suggestions that it was an old school building shifted to this site were not supported by any evidence.

The land developer donated the cottage and a small area of land to the Eltham Shire Council. However, due to its poor condition and vandalism, it was decided that the cottage could not be retained and ultimately it was demolished. The land on which it stood has recently been sold by Nillumbik Shire Council.

The Society has a number of photos and another painting of this building, but this recent donation is an important addition to our collection and we are grateful for the donation.

Physical description

Ink and watercolour on card
36 x 51 cm
Signed lower right