Lost war medals found at Eltham

On April 10 2008 a member of the Public located a red case containing five (and one single) Medals in the car park of Eltham railway station; it would appear that someone has returned by train and the medals have fallen from their pocket. The owner may believe the medal may have been lost sometime during the journey, may be on the train.

The serviceman may have been returning from a pre- ANZAC service day, and has not reported the loss to Police. No registered number is engraved on the medal to assist in identification.
The star medals include
"Italy, 1939-45, Atlantic, Africa, Burma. With the 1939-45 round silver medal.

Images can be accessed via the RSL website - news and upcoming events. Contact Eltham Police Station.

Alan Marshall

The Eltham community honour the author Alan Marshall in a number of ways including the recent Short story competition named in his honour. At Eltham library, there is a statue outside the library and a beautiful painting by Alan Martin which hangs near the Local History collection at the rear of the library.

The Collingwood Historical Society recently completed their plaques project which recognises sites of significance in the area. The True Form Boot factory in Clifton Hill is one of these. It is here that inspired Marshall to write "How beautiful are thy feet".

At The Victorian Community History Awards 2008 held recently, Collingwood Historical Society won the category for best collaborative/community work.

Eltham library holds a collection of Alan Marshall's books in the local history collection.

May 2020 update
The Trueform Boot Factory  

Green Map for Manningham/Nillumbik

A Green Map Community Website has been set up to promote the Manningham/Nillumbik area.

According to the website "A Green Map shows a region’s ‘green living’, ecological, social and cultural resources and its supportive businesses. The inventory is a practical guide for both residents and tourists AND an inspiration to pass all this on to our kids."

One page of its directory includes:
Art, Culture, History And Lifestyle
Indigenous history, Reconciliation Groups, Historical Societies, artists past and present, Green Wedge lifestyle.
http://greenmapcommunity.org.au/directory/category/art-culture-history-and-lifestyle
There are a number of links on this page which may be of interest.

Whittlesea Heritage Progam

The Heritage Program June-November 2008 has been released. Each year the City of Whittlesea highlights its wonderful historic and cultural heritage through the calandar of events in the program. Upcoming events include the City of Whittlesea Cultural collection strategy 2008-2012 launch at Lalor Library on Friday June 20 and the Bundoora Scar Tree Trail and Gum Leaf Music Workshop at RMIT Bundoora Campus on Tuesday July 10. This event falls in the school holidays and should be a great event for the whole family to enjoy.

Copies of the booklet can be obtained from this link or hard copies can be picked up from the City of Whittlesea and all branches of Yarra Plenty Regional Library.

World War 2 enlistment in the City of Whittlesea

Research is currently underway to compile a list of all those who enlisited for service in World War 2 in the then Shire of Whittlesea region. A number of incomplete nominal rolls exist within the district and these are being compared against the official online roll at www.ww2roll.gov.au
If you have a name and any other information please contact the Local History librarian at Yarra Plenty Regional Libray at lpidgeon@yprl.vic.gov.au