The name of Thomas Noble Field SWINTON does not appear on either the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour or the Commemorative Roll that records the sacrifice of Australians that died while serving with armed forces of Allied countries. He was, however, one who gave his life in the service of his country. He was […]
Northcote’s Underground River
Virtually no-one who has lived in Northcote for any period of time could fail to notice the impact of the Merri, and to a lesser extent, Darebin Creek on the suburb. But few will be aware of the third and probably fourth major waterway – which may or may not have existed – and may […]
WW1 Casualty : Harold Alexander Letch (Military Cross) (Donnybrook)
Harold Alexander Letch was the sole servicemen killed in the war to be linked to Donnybrook where he was born in 1894. Although Donnybrook does not appear to have been included within the Shire of Whittlesea when the Great War broke out, the little hamlet does form part of today’s City of Whittlesea – even […]
The Tattooed Widow of Milton Street
The Australian War Memorial’s Commemorative Roll records the name of some 3,141 Australians that died in the service of Allied countries during conflicts in which Australians have fought. The number is somewhat understated – our research over the last few years has identified seven or eight others clearly noted in Death Notices, but whom AWM […]
WW1 Casualty : Leslie Grierson, aka Vipont, aka Vipont-Birkett (Yan Yean)
In short, we can reveal Leslie Vipont, born in Doreen and raised in Yan Yean was killed in action while serving as S/9868, Private, with the Seaforth Highlanders Regiment of the British Expeditionary Force in France on 10 July, 1916. That seems a simple summary, but his background is undoubtedly right up there as one of the most […]
Sth Morang’s Futuro House
The Futuro House was designed in 1968 by a Finnish architect. He wanted to predict how we might live in the future. It was commissioned as a ‘holiday house’ or vacation home. It is just over 26 feet in diameter and came completely equipped with custom furnishings that fit the interesting shape of this house. […]
Zwar Family of Preston
“H.P” – Henry Peter Zwar was born in Broadford on 2 December, 1873, the sixth son (and one of eleven children) of Michael and Agnes Zwar nee Zimmer, German immigrants who became naturalised Victorians in 1852. After six years at Broadford State School, Zwar in 1873 won a scholarship to Melbourne Grammar and returned to […]
In Memory of “The Proff”
Wednesday 20 December, 2017 marks the centenary of the death of one of Australia’s Great Landscape Painters, Frederick McCubbin. Frederick McCubbin or “The Proff” as he was affectionately known to his friends and his students was born on Sunday 25 February 1855 at 165 King Street, Melbourne, the third son of Alexander McCubbin, baker and […]
Moreland quilt project – A changing community
The Moreland Quilt was a community arts and storytelling project curated by Tamara Russell, a textile artist specialising in free machine embroidery and hand stitching. The panels in the quilt record local stories, culture and history though imagery, colour and fabric. I lived on a dairy farm in Glenroy growing up. It was a lovely […]
Moreland quilt project – Work
The Moreland Quilt was a community arts and storytelling project curated by Tamara Russell, a textile artist specialising in free machine embroidery and hand stitching. The panels in the quilt record local stories, culture and history though imagery, colour and fabric. I was a seamstress like my mother, aunt and sister. We would all work […]