As youngsters in the early 60s, Roger and I used to play a lot along Westbreen Creek. We thought the rickety footbridge over the creek was great when it used to sway in the wind and quite often when we used to run across it jumping up and down. The creek itself was open for […]
Darebin’s Boer War
The Preston Contingent ”Three Musketeers” in the persons of Messrs Chas. Patterson, Steve Prowse and Fred Michell – all Preston boys – called at this office in a high state of jubilation on Thursday, having been picked the day before to go with the Victorian contingent and fight for the liberties of their fellow Britishers […]
Eltham Bookshop
The Eltham Bookshop has been at the forefront of cultural and literary life in Eltham for many years. Meera Govil’s shop is packed with books on all topics and Meera and her staff have the knowledge to help customers find exactly what they need. Her commitment to all things literary extends beyond the shop, as […]
Nillumbik Cemetery
In 1867, 2 acres of land was set aside and trustees from 6 denominations appointed to oversee establishment of the Nillumbik cemetery at Diamond Creek. It stands as a record of the pioneering families of the district and little has changed little since its foundation, although a fire early in the 20th century destroyed fences, […]
Alan Marshall’s bungalow
Alan Marshall (1902-1984) is one of Eltham’s favourite sons. A well known Australian author, his association with Eltham began in 1918 when his family moved to Diamond Creek. In 1920 he got his first job as junior clerk at the Shire of Eltham Offices in Kangaroo Ground. He lived in the fibro-cement bungalow behind the […]
Living and Learning Nillumbik
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 […]
Eltham Courthouse
The Courthouse and police residence next door were built in 1859/60 after concerns were raised that with a population of 1000, 2 pubs and many passing through to the goldmines, the fledgling township was in need of a lawful presence. After many years of helping uphold the law, it ceased operation in 1984 and has […]
John St Mud Brick Precinct
No. 70 Famous local landscape designer Gordon Ford’s philosophy could be described in 3 words – “keep it simple”. Eltham Garden Retreat is a stunning example of this; 2 mud brick cottages set amidst a hectare of native gardens with natural paths, ponds and waterfalls. Gordon Ford (1918-1999) worked with Alistair Knox and Ellis Stones […]
James and John Mann: a brief history
James Mann was born on 25 October 1831 at “Bensil Farm,” in the Parish of Carseburn, near Forfar, Scotland, the oldest child of John Mann and Christina née Constable. John was a tenant farmer on 25 acres (part of the Bensil Estate)[i]. In 1857 James, aged 26, and his brother, John (jnr), 21—born 25 January […]
Goldmines in Diamond Creek
Diamond Creek today has no visible signs that it was once a busy gold mining township with two major mines on the hill behind our new Op Shop, locally known as “Mine Hill”. Gold was discovered at Diamond Creek in the early 1860’s leading to a tunnel on the south side of “Mine Hill”, at […]