Local History

Find resources on Local History

• Books: search the catalogue for your subject of interest to find items in our local history collections.
• Newspaper Articles: search the newspaper index on the catalogue by selecting 'Advanced Search' and 'Newspaper Index' as the item material type in the options listed. We have Leader newspapers 1966-2016 at some libraries.
• Photos and Documents: conduct a Quick search of this material in the catalogue or use the 'Subject' and 'Advanced' options.
• Visit the local history collections (Diamond Valley, Eltham, Ivanhoe or Mill Park) and ask staff for access. Items can only be accessed in the library, during opening hours.
• Ask a Librarian.

Shire of Nillumbik

Diamond Valley Library

The collection at Diamond Valley Library covers the former Shire of Diamond Valley, including Diamond Creek, Greensborough, Watsonia, Yarrambat, and parts of Bundoora. It includes a considerable amount of material relevant to the present City of Banyule and Shire of Nillumbik.

Main themes represented include early settlers, development of local townships and communities, local institutions and organisations, urban development and housing, and the development and construction of shopping centres and other community facilities; social and urban planning issues, including the provision of services; the natural environment, and the development of library services; local writers, and the Diamond Valley Art Collection. The Diamond Valley Leader is held in hard copy from 1966–2016.

Eltham Library

The collection at Eltham Library has a main focus on the Shire of Nillumbik, but it is primarily on the area covered by the former Shire of Eltham, including Kinglake and part of the present City of Banyule.

Main themes represented in the collection are early settlers, development of local townships and communities, gold mining, local institutions and organisations, the Eltham lifestyle, and mud-brick building; the natural environment, cultural heritage, Art, Montsalvat, Library services, and municipal planning.

The Alan Marshall collection includes publications of the famous Eltham local historian and writer.

The collection also includes items relating to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and the Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection held in partnership with Eltham District Historical Society.

City of Banyule

Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub

The Ivanhoe Local History Collection focuses on the history of that part of the present City of Banyule that fell within the former City of Heidelberg prior to 1964.

Main themes represented in the collection include early settlers, local institutions and organisations, municipal council activities, urban development and housing, including Walter Burley Griffin estates and houses; Melbourne Olympics 1956, and Olympic Village; Art — the Heidelberg School, Heritage — built and landscape, social and urban planning issues, including the provision of services; the natural environment, the development of library services; and Indigenous heritage (to a limited extent). The Heidelberg Leader is held in hard copy 1966–2016.

Find the history room upstairs where you can also access the Genealogy Reference collection.

City of Whittlesea

Mill Park Library

The collection was founded by the Whittlesea Historical Society in 1983 when copies of original documents were donated to Lalor library. Named for the local historian, J. W. Payne, the collection is now based at Mill Park Library. The collection covers the past and current boundaries of the City of Whittlesea.

The Community Portrait collection includes documents, maps, plans, photographs, portraits, and certificates relating to the former Shire and City of Whittlesea Council, and its residents and places including local churches, properties, transport, and oral histories.

Main themes represented in the collection include early farming communities in scattered settlements and townships, early/prominent local families, Yan Yean water supply system, early institutions including schools, Janefield Colony; the development of library services, municipal council activities, urban development, including the Peter Lalor housing co-operative settlement, and later housing estates; multicultural communities, including the early German community at Westgarthtown (Thomastown); planning issues of urban development, including impact on the environment, and the provision of services; natural environment, local artists; and sport.

The collection also includes items relating to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The Whittlesea Leader is held in hard copy from 1975–2016.

Learn more about the Indigenous History of Melbourne's northeast; the Wurindjeri willam clan.