Family History Month at YPRL

 

It is Family History Month 2022 at Yarra Plenty Regional Library.  To learn of what is happening visit Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Heidelberg Historical Society Meeting

 "The Story of Beleura": A brief illustrated history of the home of the Tallis family on the Mornington Peninsula

Guest Speaker : Martin Green, General Manager, Beleura House

Venue: Uniting Church Community Centre, Seddon Street Ivanhoe

Date: Tuesday 9th August 2022 at 8.00 p.m.

All welcome

Presented by Heidelberg Historical Society

Truth, Beauty & Utility Exhibtion

 

The new exhibtion from Heidelberg Historical Society has opened. Truth, Beauty & Utlity: the Arts & crafts movement in Heidelberg traces the Arts & Crafts Movement. From the sudden craze for Japanese-inspired decoration in the 1880s to the non-historical ‘Art Nouveau’ of 1900, to the rugged Californian bungalow of 1920—all as seen in our local Heidelberg and Ivanhoe area. Truth, Beauty & Utility is now open at the Heidelberg Historical Society Old Courthouse Museum, Jika Street Heidelberg and can be viewed on Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm. Entry $5.00.

Please note the exhibition is only open depending on Coronavirus restrictions.

To prepare for your visit or for further inspiration after- check out these books from Yarra Plenty Regional Library's collection:

Art Nouveau by Julian Beecroft, 2018

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the art of the four by Roger Billciffe, 2017

May Morris: arts & crafts designer by May Morris, 2017

Arts & Craft: masterpieces of art by Michael Robinson, 2015

Anarchy & beauty: William Morris and his legacy, 1860-1960 by Fiona MacCarthy, 2014

International Women's Day: Elizabeth Austin

 

YPRL is celebrating International Women’s Day all week and today’s spotlight is on Elizabeth Austin.

Elizabeth Austin was a Victorian pioneer and philanthropist during the late nineteenth century, driven to improve the lives of older and poorer women.

Elizabeth and her husband Thomas built Winchelsea’s imposing Barwon Park mansion in 1871.  Thomas died there that same year and in her following year’s Elizabeth Austin made significant contributions to the Victorian community.

Locally, Elizabeth founded the Austin Hospital for incurables – now part of Austin Health – at Heidelberg in 1882.  She persuaded the Victorian government to donate land and she donated £6,000 for building works. 

She had a particular passion to improve the lives of older and poorer women at a time when there were no welfare provisions being provided by government.

The Austin is now a major health institution, world renowned for its research and specialist work. The Austin Hospital continues to serve the community and opened the Olivia Newton John wellness centre in 2013.

Elizabeth Austin died aged 89 years old in 1910 leaving a family of five sons and six daughters.

In 2012 she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Visit our curated list on the catalogue for recommended reading from our collection.

First published: Yarra Plenty Regional Library, 8 March 2021

Image: British Library digitised image from page 103 of "Victoria and its Metropolis, past and present [Vol. 1 by A. Sutherland; vol. 2 by various authors. Illustrated.]" via Flickr

 

Local History Month - Whittlesea

Picnic. Fay Thomas Collection c. 1910

October is local history month. While we cannot provide our usual annual program of speakers, walks and tours, you are invited to test your knowledge of your local area in this series of blog posts for Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea residents and invite you to visit some lesser known websites and resources for your local history research.

Lost Trades Festival

Our Seniors Fesitval Program's theme this year is lost trades so be sure to check out what is happening including an online conversation with 6th Generation Cooper George Smithwick who will discuss his career in this lost and forgotten art Thursday, 22 October. 3.00pm-4.00pm. Join via Microsoft teams

Do you know? (answers at bottom of post)

1. There was a railway line that went all the way to Whittlesea township. True or False?
2. What area was known as the “Breadbasket of Melbourne”?
3. When was Lalor established and what was particularly special about it?
4. What was Humevale formerly known as?
5. Name the historic bakery in Mernda? Who is it named for?

Websites

Check out this list of places on the Victorian Heritage Register in the City of Whittlesea Find out more about these sites on the Victorian Heritage Database 

Explore the Fay Thomas Collection which has had some additions over the last couple of months. The collection includes some delightful historical photos of the family and life and work in the Mernda and Whittlesea areas. Many photos have little information so we welcome comments.  

Answers

1. Yes.  See Whittlesea Railway
2. The Whittlesea district became known as the ‘Breadbasket of Melbourne’ due to the hundreds of new settlers following the gold rush period and demand for farming products. 
3. Returned servicemen from WW2 helped each other build their homes through the Peter Lalor Housing Co-operative which opened in 1948
4. Scrubby Creek. View this this album of photographs
5. Turners Bakehouse Eatery, Schotters Road, Mernda was built in the late 1890s by Stephenson Turner. Check out their “historic Mondays” feature on their Facebook page. 

Jigsaw Planet

Have you discovered YPRL's very own online jigsaws showcasing photos from our collection.  This can get addictive!

Want more?
Try this Quiz 

Visit Local History Month Banyule and Local History Month Nillumbik

#AskaLibrarian. Send us your questions

Local History Month - Nillumbik

Photo: Yarra Plenty Regional Library

October is local history month. While we cannot provide our usual annual program of speakers, walks and tours, you are invited to test your knowledge of your local area in this series of blog posts for Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea residents and invite you to visit some lesser known websites and resources for your local history research.

Lost Trades Festival

Our Seniors Fesitval Program's theme this year is lost trades so be sure to check out what is happening including an online conversation with 6th Generation Cooper George Smithwick who will discuss his career in this lost and forgotten art  Thursday, 22 October. 3.00pm-4.00pm. Join via Microsoft teams.

Do you know? (answers at bottom of post)

1. What former local government area retains its name as one of Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s branches?
2. What was the original name of Hurstbridge?
3. The Shire of Eltham Council offices were first located in what place?
4. There is a sculpture in front of Eltham Library.  Who does the sculpture represent?  What is the person significant for?  Who is the artist?
5. What was the Binni Shell (illustrated here) and where was it located?

Walking Trails

You can explore so much of your neighbourhood, when it is by foot.  Enjoy these walking trails to learn more about your local history

Hurstbridge Heritage Trail

An easy one hour walk around town

GAWA Trail

Short self-guided loop trail at Watsons Creek, with markers explaining how the Wurundjeri clan of about 50 people lived near the creek, and used the land to obtain bush foods, medicines, implements, shelter and clothes.

Smiths Gully- St Andrews Trail

The trail follows the Smiths Gully Creek to St Andrews through the Old Caledonia Gully alluvial gold diggings of the 19th-20th century.

Virtual tour

Montsalvat

Explore Eltham's Montsalvat in a new way, learn more about its history and what has and continues to make it such a unique fixture on the Australian cultural landscape. Montsalvat have developed this digital experience, taking you through the picturesque gardens populated with its stunning European-inspired buildings, so that you can continue to feel connected to Montsalvat from a distance.

Websites

WWII at Home: Response, Reflection and Rejuvenation 

Digitally explore 18 sites of significance that represent the transformative impact World War II had on Victoria through response, reflection and rejuvenation including the unique Eltham War Memorial Building Complex.

Stories from the Shire with Geoff Paine: Eltham District Historical Society

View this video of a brief history of the Eltham Justice Precinct, and the formation of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society (now Eltham District Historical Society) initiated with the relocation of Shillinglaw Cottage

Stories from the Shire withh Geoff Paine : Mudbrick Houses

A quick history of muddies in the Eltham district

Warrandyte Diary

With the loss of community papers, the Warrandye Diary can still be relied on for community news and they often feature stories of historical interest. Artist, Miner & Sapper: Penleigh Boyd and this tribute to local historian Mick Woiwod who recently passed away.

Jigsaw Planet

Have you discovered YPRL's very own online jigsaws showcasing photos from our collection?  This can get addictive!

Answers

1. Diamond Valley
2. Named for the homestead built here, the town was officially named Hurstbridge in 1924 after Henry Hurst who built the first log bridge across the Diamond Creek (Source:  Allwood Neighbourhood House)
3. The Shire of Eltham existed from 1856 until 1994. Council Offices were for a time in Kangaroo Ground until a fire in 1934 (Source andmore at  Advertiser, 9 Feb 1934) 
4. Alan Marshall, a writer most famous for his autobiography “I can Jump Puddles”. It was created by Matcham Skipper.
5. The Binni Shell was built as a community centre in Diamond Creek in 1979. The construction involved reinforced concrete raised using an internal balloon.

Want more?

Try this Quiz 

Visit Local History Month Banyule and Local History Month Whittlesea

#Askalibrarian and send us your questions 

Local History Month - Banyule

Image: Heidelberg Shoeing Forge, 1900. YPRL in partnership with Heidelberg Historical Society

October is local history month.  While we cannot provide our usual annual program of speakers, walks and tours, you are invited to test your knowledge of your local area in this series of blog posts for Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea residents and invite you to visit some lesser known websites and resources for your local history research.

Lost Trades Festival

Our Seniors Fesitval Program's theme this year is lost trades so be sure to check out what is happening including an online conversation with 6th Generation Cooper George Smithwick who will discuss his career in this lost and forgotten art  Thursday, 22 October. 3.00pm-4.00pm. Join via Microsoft teams.

Do you know? (answers at bottom of post)

1. What former Presbyterian Church is now a gallery and art space?  Name the Church and name the Organisation.
2. When was the Shire of Heidelberg proclaimed a City?
3. Where in the City of Banyule is there a link to the famous French Soldier Napoleon?
4. Over the years this building complex has been a training centre for Jesuit priests and later a training centre for social workers.  Where and what am I ?
5. A ward in the City of Banyule is named 'Ibbott'.  Who was it named for her and why was this person significant?

Walking Trails

You can explore so much of your neighbourhood, when it is by foot.  Enjoy these walking trails to learn more about your local history

Darebin Parklands - Alphington

If you already enjoy the walking trails at Darebin parklands, consider exploring the nearby streets of Alphington.  This recently developed local history project documents your choice of walking tour. Download the localised map and information.

Plenty River Trail 

The Plenty River Trail starts north of the Western Ring Road in Greensborough and ends far to the south, meeting the Yarra River Trail in Viewbank.  It passes several sites of post-European historical significance, including the remains of an early public swimming pool built into the river in Greensborough and a number of 100-150 year old fruit trees that mark the location of many orchards established in the late 1800s. In Lower Plenty, the trail crosses a historical bluestone bridge dating from the 1860s, one of the first bridges across the Plenty River to be built of its kind. (via https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/)

Websites to Explore

WWII at Home: Response, Reflection and Rejuvenation

Digitally explore 18 sites of significance that represent the transformative impact World War II had on Victoria through response, reflection and rejuvenation including Heidelberg Military Hospital. 

Mont Park to Springthorpe

Explore the former Mont Park Hospital and Asylum and its environs, the heritage-listed buildings, horticulturally significant landscape design, social and cultural history, hospital and psychiatric care history, indigenous history, significant historical figures and interviews with people associated with the area in the past. Heitage walks have recently been added.

Read The Heidelberg Mirror: Olympic Village Souvenir

The Souvenir issue of The Heidelberg Mirror 15th November 1956 (published in East Kew, Victoria by Mirror Newspapers) commemorating the Melbourne Olympic Games has been digitised and can be read on our Flickr channel. Includes articles on the Olympic Village, Heidelberg Library and Montsalvat, Eltham, as well as display and classified advertisements for local businesses in the City of Heidelberg and wider area and business' associated with the construction of the Olympic Village in Heidelberg West.  The Melbourne Olympic Games were held 22 November - 8 December 1956.

Victorian Places

Search your favourite place here

Jigsaw Planet

Have you discovered YPRL's very own online jigsaws showcasing photos from our collection.  This can get addictive!

Answers

1. John Knox Presbyterian (later Uniting) Church at 8 Noel Street, Ivanhoe is now a gallery and art space for Ivanhoe Girl’s Grammar School
2. 1934
3. The Church at St Helena was built by the pioneer Major Anthony Beale, in memory of his wife Katherine.  Beale had been a pay master for the east India Company on the island of St Helena during Napolean’s imprisonment there.
4. Loyola College, Watsonia
5. Cr. Nellie Ibbott was the first woman to be elected to the Heidelberg Shire Council in 1928. She later became Mayor – making her the first female mayor in Victoria.

Want more?

Try this Quiz

Visit Local History Month Nillumbik  and Local History Month Whittlesea

#Askalibrarian and send us your questions via this form