Greensborough Historical Society Victoria
The European settlement of Greensborough was from 1839 onward. The Society's aim is to collect, catalogue and preserve the history and heritage of Greensborough and its environs from the earliest records to the present time. Whilst called Greensborough Historical Society, its coverage is not limited to that area alone and includes Greensborough, Watsonia, Macleod, Montmorency, Briar Hill, Lower Plenty and Bundoora.
Contact Information
Opening Hours
Each Thursday 10:00am to 3:00pm NOTE: Reopened for 2016 on 14th January 2016. Saturday afternoon once a month. See website for dates.
Entry Fee
No charge; membership fees available on website
Location
34 Glenauburn Road Lower Plenty Victoria
View on Google MapsThe Greensborough Historical Society Inc collection focuses on historical and current information relating to Greensborough and surrounding areas, including the former Shire of Diamond Valley. Information is from mid-1840 to the current time. Items include artifacts, photographs, documents, oral histories, maps, school yearbooks and uniforms, books and collected current newspaperr clippings relevant to the area. There is a large digital collection of photographs.
Significance
The collection has historical significance in that it brings together information relating to the settlement of Greensborough and district from the mid 1840s. The Greensborough Historical Society Inc was formed in 2010 to collect, preserve and catalogue the history and heritage of the area from earliest records.
4621 items
4621 items
Accounts - Lacy-Partington accounts
Greensborough Historical Society,
3 loose pages torn from account book
Historical information
Details the payments relating to the management of a billiard room.
Inscriptions & Markings
Handwritten accounts
Advertisement - Ashmead, 43 Grimshaw Street
Greensborough Historical Society,
A collection of advertising relating to the sale of "Ashmead" the former home of the Cordner family in Greensborough.
Historical information
The material relates to the auction of "Ashmead" on 11th August 2012.
Significance
The house "Ashmead" was built in 1932 and was the home of the Cordner family. It is one of the better houses in Greensborough and closely resembles an English country manor. Five members of this family played for the Melbourne Football Club.
Inscriptions & Markings
Nil
Advertisement - Lower Plenty 38, 40 & 42 Old Eltham Road
Greensborough Historical Society,
A 1 page multi coloured Real Estate advertisement.
Historical information
This advert appear in the Weekly Review on 22/08/2012.
Significance
It features the sale of 38, 40 & 42 Old Eltham Rd, Lower Plenty in 2012. Land borders Heidelberg Golf Club.
Inscriptions & Markings
Nil
Advertisement - Montmorency Secondary College
Greensborough Historical Society,
Newspaper clipping colour print
Historical information
Advertisement for Montmorency Secondary College Open Day 19 April 2016
Inscriptions & Markings
The Weekly Review 6/04/2016
Advertisement - 27 McKellar Street, Watsonia
Greensborough Historical Society,
Col. auction brochure, printed both sides
Historical information
Home of the late Shirley Fraser (Black), auctioned by Buckingham and Company Saturday 12 June 2012.
Inscriptions & Markings
"$485,000" written on brochure.
Advertisement - Greenhills Estate
Greensborough Historical Society,
A 2 page A3 photoccopy of a real estate advertisement.
Historical information
The advertisement was used to sell land in the Greenhills area.
Significance
The plan included details the original street lay out and names applied to them. It also has dimensions of all the blocks of land available and locations and dimensions of easements.
Inscriptions & Markings
Nil
Advertisement - Perfect health: The Maharishi Health Education Centres
Greensborough Historical Society,
Black & white newspaper advertisement
Historical information
The Maharishi Health Education Centres practised Transcendental Meditation, and had an office in Bundoora on what is now the Loyola College site.
Advertisement - Greensborough Hotel Advertisement 1933-34
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 pages from a Victorian Railways travel journal. Advertisement for Greensborough Hotel 1933-34. Photocopy from original journal.
Historical information
An advertisement for Greensborough Hotel in the town of "Greensborough, picturesque township on the Plenty River, 13 miles from Melbourne."
Significance
Photograph show the "new brick building with all modern conveniences'. Greensborough in the 1930s was a popular spot for picnics and holidays.
Advertisement - Digital image - 23 Mayfield Street Greensborough,1979.
Greensborough Historical Society,
Digital copy of black and white real estate advertisement.
Historical information
This 1979 advertisement is for the sale of a house at 23 Mayfield Street Greensborough. Contains description and price of house.
Inscriptions & Markings
Date handwritten on page.
Advertisement - Digital image - Grandview Guest House
Greensborough Historical Society,
Digital copy of colour photograph and notes.
Historical information
"Grandview" was the name of Mrs Drakeford's Boarding House in Greenhill Road Greensborough. This photograph shows the house in 2016. Includes notes on the history of the house.
Advertisement - Digital image - Grandview: Drakeford's Boarding House
Greensborough Historical Society,
Digital copy of black and white advertisement.
Historical information
"Grandview" was the name of Mrs Drakeford's Boarding House in Greenhill Road Greensborough. This advertisement is from the 1940s.
Advertisement - Newspaper Clipping - 10-14 Poulter Avenue Greensborough
Greensborough Historical Society,
News clipping, black text, colour image.
Historical information
Advertisement for auction of property at 10-14 Poulter Avenue Greensborough
Advertisement - Newspaper Clipping - Market fun day (March 8 2015)
Greensborough Historical Society,
Newspaper advertisement, text and colour graphics.
Historical information
Advertisement for an activity in Greensborough town centre, Main Street.
Advertising Card - Step into life
Greensborough Historical Society,
Colour advertising card.
Historical information
Adverting card for Greensborough Step into Life group outdoor personal training.
Advertising Leaflet - Dobell's Cafe and Restaurant.
Greensborough Historical Society,
Links: 00960:01700:02012:02013:02426 Colour leaflet. Pink and white text on black background. Graphics.
Historical information
Dobell's is a local cafe in the Greenhill area. In 2013/14 it is owned by Steve Partington.
Significance
The Dobell's building was once a local grocer's store and has housed several other businesses over the years.
Advertising Leaflet - Electric Station Estate, Watsonia
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of auction leaflet 1 p.
Historical information
Photocopy of auction leaflet for land north of Watsonia Railway Station, Saturday 19th July 1924. Auctioneer Knight & Harwood.
Advertising Leaflet - Electric Station Estate, Second Section, Watsonia
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of auction leaflet 1 p.
Historical information
Photocopy of auction leaflet for sale of second section of land north of Watsonia Railway Station, Saturday 16th August 1924. Auctioneer Knight & Harwood in conjunction with C. Jessop.
Advertising Leaflet - Electric Station Estate, Second Section, Watsonia
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of auction leaflet 1 p.
Historical information
Auction leaflet (copy) for sale of second section of land north of Watsonia Railway Station, Saturday 16th August 1924. Auctioneer Knight & Harwood in conjunction with C. Jessop.
Advertising Poster - Catch a carp fishing competition
Greensborough Historical Society,
Colour advertisement. Attached is business card.
Historical information
Flyer advertising the Plenty River carp cull March 2015
Aerial Photograph - Greensborough
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of enlargement of 1945 aerial photograph, with 2 p. of annotations indicating locations of residents and businesses
Historical information
Aerial photograph of Greensborough showing residents and businesses in the area. Annotations by Bill Cecil.
Aerial photograph - Greensborough
Greensborough Historical Society,
Colour aerial photograph QAS 2504c run 5 3/11/86 1:15,500 by Qascophoto
Historical information
Aerial survey of Plenty Gorge Park area, including Greensborough by-pass construction and Metropolitan Ring Road reservation.
Significance
An historical view of developing Greensborough
Aerial survey - Greenhills Aerial View
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of part of 1945 aerial survey. Some streets have been marked.
Historical information
Section from the 1945 aerial survey of Greensborough, including part of Diamond Creek Road, Greenhill Road, Crest Street and Albion Crescent.
Aerial survey - Flintoff land - View from above
Greensborough Historical Society,
Photocopy of section of 1945 aerial survey of Greensborough area
Historical information
Section of the 1945 Greensborough aerial survey, focusing on the land belonging to the Flintoff family
Inscriptions & Markings
"Flintoff land to west of Diamond Creek Rd" written in pencil on back
Annual Report - Greensborough Football Club: 1966 Annual Report and financial statement
Greensborough Historical Society,
White card cover with photo of 1966 premier team. 12 pages. 2 copies.
Historical information
Report to the Annual Meeting of the Greensborough Football Club. Outlines persons involved in the club, activities for the year and includes statistics and financial statement.
Significance
A snapshot of the Greensborough Football Club in 1966.
Inscriptions & Markings
Back cover has an artist's impression of the proposed new hall and dressing rooms to be erected at the War Memorial Park in conjunction with the Park Trust and Greensborough Cricket Club.
Application - Squatters, speculators and settlers: Plenty River Cultural heritage trail.
Greensborough Historical Society,
3 copies. 60 p., ill. (some col.). Copy 1 is in an A4 3 ring binder and plastic pockets (Location Greensborough Historical Society publications shelf), copy 2 is spiral bound (Location Plenty River Cultural heritage Trail file), copy 3 has loose pages (Location GHS file)
Historical information
This application is for the restoration and preservation of listed heritage sites along the Plenty River in Greensborough and surrounding area. Although the 2011 application was not successful there is much information about the Plenty River trail in this document.
Significance
This document contains relevant information regarding the various sites along the Plenty River.
Inscriptions & Markings
Heritage Victoria application reference: 53149
Article - John Cecil Jessop: a community minded individual.
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 typed pages.
Historical information
Cecil Jessop was an important figure in the development of Greensborough. This outline of his life discusses his work as a councillor, MMBW, and Sutherland Homes.
Significance
A brief outline of an important Greensborough identity.
Article - Jessop, John Cecil (1892-1968)
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 photocopied pages, text and photograph.
Historical information
Biographical information about John Cecil Jessop, Councillor and Mayor of Heidelberg and Chairman of the MMBW. The photograph (copy) is of his time as Mayor.
Significance
A Greensborough local who worked on many community projects.
Inscriptions & Markings
On page 1:"Australian Dictionary of Biography 1940-1980", on page 2: "Diamond Valley Story by Diane Edwards"
Article - Robert William Whatmough's Apple Tree Chest
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 page of text with line drawing
Historical information
A brief history of Robert Whatmough's apple tree chest as inscribed on paper and attached to inside lid of chest.
Significance
This chest was made from the trunk of an apple tree washed down the Plenty River to Greensborough in 1878.
Article - History of Plenty River Children's Cemetery; by Anne Paul.
Greensborough Historical Society,
Links: 00373:00744:00804:00848:00875:00974 2 printed pages of text, one page map (item 848).
Historical information
The unmarked graves of the children of two Greensborough pioneer families lie in a private cemetery on the Plenty River. Burials occurred between 1848 and 1860.
Significance
The significance lies in the association with two of the pioneer families of the Greensborough district. Descendants of both families still live in the area.
Article - Diamond Valley (eMelbourne)
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 pages downloaded from eMelbourne site on 1/4/2012.
Historical information
A short history of the Diamond Valley and Shire of Diamond Valley from the website www.emelbourne.net.au
Article - History of Batman's Apple Tree
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 typed pages
Historical information
This is a timeline of the Apple Tree's history from c1835 to 1966. Information is taken from various printed sources.
Significance
This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.
Article - John Henry James Burrows
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Stanley Cade and his service in World War 1. Stanley Cade boarded at Mrs Marsh's house in Hailes Street Greensborough.
Article - The history of the Diamond Creek Medical Centre
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 x A4 pages printed from RACGP website - general practice histories.
Historical information
Details the history of Diamond Creek Medical Centre and the Cordner family's work in the area, including Greensborough and Diamond Creek.
Significance
The Cordner family were well known in the Greensborough area.
Article - Memoirs History 1808 -1883 [extract]
Greensborough Historical Society,
Links: 00670:01015 4 pages of typed text. An extract from "Memoirs History 1808 -1883" pages 345 - 350.
Historical information
These pages are an extract from "Memoirs History 1808-1883" pages 345-350. This is John Lindsay Beale's account of the formation of the Greensborough Roads Board and Robert William Whatmough's participation on that Board.
Significance
The Whatmough and Beale families were pioneers in the Greensborough district. This primary source discusses the difficulties of finding a compromise between those living adjacent to the Plenty River and building and maintaining a roadway between Greensborough and Melbourne.
Article - Watsonia Uniting Church
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 pages of typed text with 3 photographs.
Historical information
The Watsonia Methodist Church was established in 1957. this is a brief history of the Church which later became the Watsonia Uniting Church.
Significance
Recollections of the establishment of the Church and images of the buildings.
Article - Henry Cordner (1885-1943) and Edward Rae Cordner (1887-1963)
Greensborough Historical Society,
A half page article on the Cordner brothers.
Historical information
Records some of the early history of the Cordner family including their sporting and education backgrounds. Written in 2011.
Significance
Dr Edward Rae Cordner was a prominent local identity in Greensborough. His family were involved in many local causes. The family had a close association with the University Football club and the Melbourne Football club. His son Don won the Brownlow Medal in 1946.
Inscriptions & Markings
Nil
Article - Lionel Almond
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Lionel Almond and his service in World War 1. Lionel Almond was born in Greensborough.
Article - Thomas Brock
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Thomas Brock and his service in World War 1. At the time of Thomas Brock's enlistment, his brother Michael Brock was living in Greensborough.
Article - William Bryant
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about William Bryant and his service in World War 1. William Bryant was born in Bundoora.
Article - John Henry James Burrows
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about John Henry James Burrows and his service in World War 1. John Henry James Burrows was born in Greensborough.
Article - George Campbell
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about George Campbell and his service in World War 1. At the time of George Campbell's enlistment, he was living at Greensborough
Article - John Huxley Carse
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about John Huxley Carse and his service in World War 1. John Huxley Carse is buried in Greensborough Cemetery. John Carse’s father Hubert was Headmaster at Greensborough State School.
Article - Donald Stewart Chapman
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Donald Stewart Chapman and his service in World War 1. Donald Stewart Chapman was born in Greensborough.
Article - Henry Thomas Chappell
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Henry Thomas Chappell and his service in World War 1. At the time of Henry Thomas Chappell's enlistment, he was living at Greensborough.
Article - Victor Preston Coe
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Victor Preston Coe and his service in World War 1. Victor Preston Coe was a founding member of the Greensborough RSL.
Article - Michael Coghlan
Greensborough Historical Society,
1 Page, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Michael Coghlan and his service in World War 1. At the time of Michael Coghlan's enlistment, he was living at Greensborough
Article - Edward Rae Cordner
Greensborough Historical Society,
2 Pages, text and colour images.
Historical information
A short article about Edward Rae Cordner and his service in World War 1. Edward Rae Cordner was a local doctor who lived in Greensborough post-war.
Article - Bundoora, by Faye Fort
Greensborough Historical Society,
Links: 00626.00807 One page of text.
Historical information
An oral history recollection by GHS member Faye Fort (nee Partington). Discusses Harold Fraser and family and other Bundoora identities.
Significance
Names early landowners in the Bundoora area.
Article - Lieutenant Edward Carse, a Greensborough boy.
Greensborough Historical Society,
Half page, typed
Historical information
A brief explanation of Lieutenant Carse's connection to Greensborough.
Significance
Hubert Edward (Ted) Carse fought against the Japanese in Singapore during World War 2.
Article - The Batman Tree 1841
Greensborough Historical Society,
One page of text and illustration.
Historical information
Brief history of the early life of the Batman Apple Tree in Greensborough. Compiled in 2011.
Significance
This is possibly the oldest apple tree in Victoria. It was planted on the banks of the Plenty River in 1841.