Historical information

Grace Mitchell (nee Whieldon) was born in Yarram Gippsland, second of nine children. After her father died, the family moved to Creswick. She left home at age 12 to earn a wage to help the family, including as a matron at the School of Mines in Creswick and, after moving to Melbourne, as dietitian at Royal Melbourne Hospital. After marrying Arthur Mitchell, they moved to Mount Pleasant Road, Eltham, in 1948. Because Arthur had an accident and was not able to work, she did various jobs before starting a cake shop in their house; she also cooked at Montsalvat,. She was also a tailor and dressmaker, studied psychology and journalism, her crochet.patterns were published in 'New Idea' as a girl when she also started carving wood.She knew many artists, writers, etc.As a widow, in her late 60s, she enrolled in a diploma of arts course, majoring in sculpture and print-making.

Contents
Newspaper article: "Amazing Grace!", Diamond Valley News, 7 July 1981.
Newspaper article: "A way with wood", The Age, ?1999. Diamond Valley News, 30 April 1985. Describes life of Grace Mitchell, just turned 80, who began carving wood as a girl.
Newspaper article: "Paging women to celebrate", Heidelberg and Diamond Valley Weekly, 12 February 2008. To promote nominations for 'Celebrating Nillumbik Women', designed to honour women, Grace and Jenni Mitchell are featured.
Newspaper article: "Celebrate history and her story", Diamond Valley Leader, 20 February 2008. To promote nominations for 'Celebrating Nillumbik Women', designed to honour women, Grace and Jenni Mitchell are featured.
Newspaper article: "Eltham artist's will to live", Diamond Valley Leader, 27 October 2010. Grace Mitchell recovering in Austin Hospital.
Order of Service: A celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Grace Mitchell, Montsalvat Eltham, 19 April 2011.
Newspaper article: "Death of an Eltham icon", Diamond Valley Leader, ?20 April 2011. Obituary of Grace Mitchell with tributes from Ona Henderson, Sigmund Jogensen, Jenni Mitchell.
Newspaper article: "Amazing Grace remembered", Diamond Valley Leader, 27 April 2011. Report of Service for Grace Mitchell at Montsalvat.
Newspaper article: "Thanks Eltham for your kind messages", Diamond Valley Leader 18 May 2011. Letter from Jenni Mitchell, thanks for messages.
Newspaper article: "Eltham all-rounder a remarkable gem", The Age, 13 May 2011. Obituary for Grace Mitchell.
Newspaper article:"Search for home for ark art", Diamond Valley Leader, 11 November 2011. Grace Mitchell's work 'The Ark" 1983, is on display at local MP's office, seeking a home in a public collection.
Newsletter article: "Jenni Mitchell - 'May mother Grace'", Eltham District Historical Society newsletter No.207, November 2012. Notice that Jenni Mitchell will talk about her mother's work at the November meeting.
Flier: Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 7 October-18 November 2012"Grace Mitchell 1916-2011: The Artist's Work: A Selected Retrospective".
Handout: Sheet to accompany Eltham South Fine Art Studios and Gallery, 7 October-18 November 2012"Grace Mitchell 1916-2011: The Artist's Work: A Selected Retrospective". Biography of Grace Mitchell.

Physical description

Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc