Are you or your family connected to Eltham District? Whilst COVID19 keeps us at home you can be a virtual explorer of Eltham and its history. EDHS has a wealth of online resources and activities for you and your family.

Stories connect us to our local heritage. March is Women’s History Month. During our first excursion of the year, we will recognise the contributions of some local women to our community. Nestled on high ground, once overlooking the village of Eltham we will tour the Eltham Cemetery and share stories of women now interred in
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A walk along part of the Maroondah Aqueduct which was once a major link in Melbourne’s water supply system. It was built between 1886 and 1891 to transfer water from the Watts River near Healesville to Preston Reservoir. It was 66 km in length made up of 41 km of open channel, 10 km of tunnels through hills and 15 km of pipeline across stream valleys known as inverted siphons. The section of the aqueduct through Research and Eltham has been abandoned since the 1980s but the open channel has largely been retained. A recreational path follows the aqueduct reserve.

A prominent photographer in the early days of Eltham was John Henry (Harry) Clark. At the regular Eltham & District Historical Society meeting in August they will explore some selected Clark images from the collection and, with some, try to show the current locations where the photographs were taken.

Prior to the extension of European people into the lands of the Nillum-bik in the late 1830s the Wurundjeri people had been meeting in the area now known as Eltham Lower Park for thousands of years. Waterway junctions had a particular attraction as tribal meeting places and the junction of the Diamond Creek with the
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For the Eltham District Historical Society's excursion on Saturday 4th March they intend to walk around the area that was the earlier location of the Eltham South Farms, which is now parkland and residential subdivisions. It will include views of the Diamond Creek valley from Porter Street, the parkland known as Barak Bushland and a traverse of the perimeter of the former Fabbro farm land in Bell Street. They will discuss the former farmers such as the Falkiners, Wests, Fabbros and Bollas and note the locations of their houses. Maurie Fabbro was the last of the family members to use their land for market garden purposes. Some people may remember him in the fields tending his rows of artichokes and other plantings.

Eltham District Historical Society's Christmas function is a trivia night - put together a table (or join an existing table) and come along in your wildest or, at least, your out-of-the-ordinary gear. Kaftans and 60s attire encouraged! You are welcome to bring your own drinks and some supper to share.   To book please contact
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