Joseph Panton- the man history forgot

The small village of Panton Hill, in the Shire of Nillumbik was named after Joseph Anderson Panton, Commissioner for the Anderson's Creek and other goldfields and later magistrate at Heidelberg.  A new book is about to be launched on the life of Panton, who's portrait was painted by Frederick McCubbin in 1904.

Born in Scotland in 1831 he arrived in Victoria in time for the Gold Rush of the 1850s.  He became a Golfields Commissioner and officical, a Metropolitan Magistrate, public servant, artist, winemaker, geologist, explorer, speculator and pioneer pastoralist.  He died in St Kilda in 1913.

Vivienne Worthington, whose family were early settlers in Panton Hill, has written a small biography on Panton :“The man history forgot".  She will be launching the book and unveiling a photographic reproduction of Panton’s McCubbin portrait at the A.E.Cracknell Recreation Reserve Hall, Panton Hill on Sunday 14 October 2.00pm - 4.00pm.  All welcome.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library will also have copies in our collection to borrow and access from Eltham Library's local history collection.

Diamond Creek Local History

Nillumbik Historical Society have been updating and re-publishing a number of publications that local historian Jock Ryan first compiled in the early 2000's. These titles include a chronology of the area's history, a history of the Hurstbridge railway line, especially related to the extension from Eltham to Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen and Hurstbridge, the story of early pioneers William and Nathaniel Ellis, a history of historical hotels in the Diamond Creek area and the history of the Diamond Creek Gold mine. These titles are now available in the Local history collection at Diamond Valley Library.  They are also available for purchase through the Society.  The five titles are $10 each or $12 posted. 

Email:   elliscottage@gmail.com

Mail: PO Box 310, Diamond Creek Vic 3089

Diamond Valley Sportsmen Win Medals at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games, 1982

As we settle into the Commonwealth Games, this #ThrowbackThursday we reflect back to the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games.  Local athletes were represented and they were acknowledged by Diamond Valley Shire President Peter Cleeland, here presenting engraved silver letter openers created by Eltham silversmith Michael Wilson. Medal winners from left are Remo Sansonetti, Greensborough, silver medal for the 100 k time trial for cycling. Noel Ryan, Bundoora, gold medal for centre fire pistol teams event and a silver medal fire pistol individual event. Michael Cowen, Diamond Creek, silver medal in the archery event which extended over several days.

Photo: Reflections of Diamond Valley DV_F_00369

New titles for Eltham Local History

Two new additions to the local history collection at Eltham Library includes A history of Saint Margaret's Church Eltham: Volume 2 The Transition years 1889 to 1945.  This completes the three volume history by Dr Geoffrey Sandy.

From about the turn of the century until the end of WW2 the Church of England in Eltham, along with the wider society, was transformed. The wider society was transformed under the impact of a crippling economic depression and two devastating world wars. The emergence of the welfare state and greater equalitarianism were two major transformative events. The church too was impacted by these world events especially WW1. During this period the Eltham church was transformed for a somewhat reformed worship and theologicial view to one which was increasingly catholic. It is also a period where Saint Margaret's was constrained in its ministry and mission by a lack of resources. However, it was well served by a number of exemplary vicars and laypersons. This story is related in Volume 2. It is a mixture of success and disappointment. It is also a story of perserverance and faithfulness to the Gospel. However, by the mid-1940s Saint Margaret's had become a small and lifeless parish. Its future was not assured. Volume 2 also relates a summary history of other faith communities which have a shared history with Saint Margaret's. These include the Church of the Transfiguration Research, Saint Mathews's Panton Hill and Saint Faith's Montmorency.

Our Eltham Artistic Reflections celebrates the life of the Eltham Shire and its Pioneers since the opening of the cemetery 150 years ago. The collection uses visual narratives from our past, environment and community, and is part of a vision by the Eltham Cemetery Trust to offer a fresh and unique relationship to the Cemetery.

Greensborough Honour Roll

A new title for the Local History Collection at Diamond Valley Library: The Old Borough was good enough: the Greensborough SundaySchool Empire Honour Roll 1914-1919 and other servicemen from both World Warswas compiled by Bryan Henderson after his search for the missing Greensborough Sunday School Empire Honour Roll and his interest in local Methodist boys who enlisted in World War One.

The Roll was located at the Greensborough RSL and will be hung when renovations are complete.

This book profiles over 30 Greensborough WW1 enlistments in addition to nine gentlemen who served in World War 2 along with notes on related battalions, maps and photos.   

Eltham Pioneers Collection

Photo: SEPP_0049 Loading fruit for market, Kinglake (Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection)

Eltham District Historical Society kicks off its 2015 program of events on Wednesday 11 February highlighting photos from the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph collection.  This collection of over 400 photos in total includes a large geographic area extending from Kinglake to Lower Plenty.

It is hoped that interested audience members will share their own memories, recollections and further insight about the photos that will be shown.  All welcome.

EDHS meets at the Eltham Senior Citizen’s Centre, Library Place, Eltham.  Wednesday 11 February at 7.30 pm.