The brick cottage at the heart of Living & Learning Nillumbik was built in 1858 by tanner John Pearson. It passed through the hands of several owners before Claire and Alfred Fitzpatrick bought the property in the late 1950’s and created a working hobby farm, with pens for goats and poultry, stables, fruit trees and vegie gardens. Claire was a committed to her community and environment, and a strong campaigner for these issues, especially to local council. She helped establish Edendale farm and stood for Eltham Council in her 70s. The Fitzpatricks sold the property to the council and moved next door, and in 1975 after extensive community negotiations it became The Eltham Living and Learning Centre, a vibrant, bustling centre of Arts and Culture. Today as Living & Learning Nillumbik the tradition continues, offering hundreds of courses over its 4 campuses.
This article is part of a series for the Nillumbik Cultural Bus Tour program at Eltham Library November 2013
Image: Pixabay
