Join the Eltham District Historical Society for a heritage excursion Saturday March 3rd. Meet at 2.00 pm a tthe Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, Eltham. The Eltham Gateway is the name adopted for the section of Main Road Eltham leading from the roundabout at Fitzsimons Lane to the Eltham town centre. The name has its origin in a 1987 planning report for Eltham Shire . . . more »

Join Eltham District Historical Society members on their next local heritage walk. The predominant feature of this walk in the Bonds Roadarea, Lower Plenty is the large number of magnificent old River Red Gums that line the route. The walk also includes parts of the historic Cleveland Estate and Henry Stooke’s “Rosehill” homestead as described in the separate historical article in this Newsletter. From the . . . more »

In 1928 a short film was filmed in Eltham called "Borrowed Plumes". Local houses for the on location film shoot and local people were featured in the film according to press reports in “The Advertiser”. It was produced by local resident Mr E. C. Lyall and his Kooringarama films company probably named for an Eltham property, property owned by Mr and Mrs Boake. The Cast . . . more »

ElthamLower Parkhas played an important part in the history of the Eltham area since the early days of European settlement when it was used by local residents as an informal racecourse. Prior to that its location at the junction of the Diamond Creek and the Yarra River made it an important meeting place for the Wurundjeri people. The park combines formal parkland and sporting elements . . . more »

I I could not leave a book behind on an Op Shop shelf recently. I came across the “Eltham Primary Cookbook” and it is soon to be added to the Local History collection at Eltham Library. Unfortunately it has no date. The spiral bound book was illustrated by students and typed up by “mums and teachers”. I am guessing it was produced in the late . . . more »

The next heritage walk organised by Eltham District Historical Society is on Saturday 3rd July will visit Edendale Farm and nearby areas of interest. It will start from the Edendale car park in Gastons Road at 2pm and will take about two hours. Gastons Road runs off Wattletree Road between the Eltham North bridge and the railway crossing (Melway ref. 22 A2) Edendale Farm now . . . more »

Richard Ellender maintains a great blog of beautiful photographs he takes in and Around Eltham. . . . more »

The Diamond Valley Leader has reported this week that the Eltham RSL has closed. The 83 year old club closed its doors after a vote failed to achieve a proposal to merge with the Greensborough RSL. Nillumbik Council will work with the club to relocate its memorabilia and cenotaph to another site in Eltham. . . . more »

Eltham & District Historical Society will continue their successful program of heritage walks by providing a variety of walks in different locations around Eltham and nearby areas. The first walk for 2010 will be on Saturday 6th March starting at 2pm. The starting point is the corner of Lavender Park Road and Kent Hughes Road, Eltham South (Melway Ref. 22 A9). Roadside parking is available . . . more »

Did you know that John Wren, proprietor of the notorious Collingwood Tote in the early 1900s, once seriously proposed to establish a racecourse at Eltham that he claimed would rival famous Flemington ? Well, if you didn't, (and even if you did!) Eltham and District Historical Society are inviting you to learn more about this and other fascinating facts about early horse activities in the . . . more »