Laughing Waters Road

Jane Woollard will be the guest speaker for Eltham District Historical Society's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 13th April at 8pm.

She will talk about her recently released book: Laughing Waters Road.  This book has recently been added to the local history collection at Eltham Library.

Jane who was the local history officer at the Shire of Nillumbik has a detailed knowledge of the history of the area.  She has an extensive background as a writer, theartre director and teacher.  She has woven together the experiences and art making of more than eighty artists, who since 2001 have been in residence at Laughing Waters in Birrarung Road and Riverbend, together with Wurundjeri, European and family histories to create an evocative account of a very special place in Eltham.

Eltham District Historical Society meet at the Eltham Senior Citizen's Centre, Library Place, Eltham.

Laughing Waters Road, Eltham

On Saturday 30 January, there will be a book launch and exhibition of Laughing Waters Road: Art, Landscape and Memory in Eltham.

Since 2001 more than one hundred artists have participated in the Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program hosted by Nillumbik Shire Council and Parks Victoria. In Laughing Waters Road: Art, Landscape & Memory in Eltham by Jane Woollard, their experiences and art making are woven together with Wurundjeri, European and local family histories to create an evocative account of a special place in a bushy outer suburb of Melbourne.

In addition to the launch event there is a more intimate event ‘On the Couch with Jane’ to be held on Saturday, 6 February from 2pm at Montsalvat where author, Jane Woollard, will sign copies of the book, have a reading and be available to answer any questions.

Laughing Waters walk

The Eltham District Historical Society’s next walk is along Laughing Waters Road, Eltham to its eastern end and returning partly over the same route – a total distance of about 2.5km. On the way the tour will access the two artist in residence properties to view the houses (from the outside) that are associated with Alistair Knox, Gordon Ford and others in the local mud brick and artistic community.

The walk on 7th September will start at 2pm at the corner of Laughing Waters and Overbank Roads Eltham (Melway Ref. 22 F9). There is limited parking at this location so please park carefully.
The walk is along a well-formed bushland road but parts of the short driveways are a bit steep and rough. This free walk is open to the public as well as Society members. It should take about 2.5 hours. Dogs are not permitted.