News and Events articles

Whenever we meet and talk to people on open days or at events it is always interesting to hear about their family links and stories about how our area was when they grew up here, visited in search of family places or that they discovered they had links to the district after being drawn back […]

We publish our newsletter the Nillumbik Custodian each quarter for our members. Issues from 2021 and earlier are publicly available to view and read on Trove / National Library https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1552649449 Please feel free to browse through and read whatever you find interesting or become a member to receive each issue as soon as it’s published.

Nillumbik Cemetery is one of a number of Pioneer Cemeteries in the district with burials going back to its establishment in 1867.  The cemetery has been managed and maintained by Trustees since that time as it still is today.  The Trustees are volunteers who give their time to keep the cemetery in the condition they […]

The Nillumbik Shire Council website has a page dedicated to our Local History where you can find details and links for local history societies and groups, reconciliation group and others, plus the interactive Nillumbik Heritage Guide. www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Council/About-the-Shire/Local-history

Original 1974 publication of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards   All copies are in brand new condition having been stored by our society since they were given to us by the author for our contribution of photographs and information   Contact Us   to arrange your purchase   Collect from Ellis Cottage […]

On Sunday, 13th November 2022 we held a Remembrance Day Service at Ellis Cottage Lone Pine Memorial Garden. Following the service we dedicated panels commemorating servicemen from Diamond Creek District who served in WW1 that have been in place on the barn wall for over two years. We are very happy to have finally had […]

Click to open and download our LOCAL HISTORY ENQUIRY FORM

START YOUR FAMILY TREE FOR FREE There is a lot you can do to start your family tree without paying companies like Ancestry, Find My Past of My Heritage to do research. These companies have exclusive or non-exclusive access to millions of records, and eventually you may choose to subscribe to one of them. But […]

A Display of kit used by the Australian Light Horse and other military memorabilia from World War 1 is on display this week and over the ANZAC weekend at Eltham Library until Thursday 30th April.   The Lighthorsemen were the mounted infantry of the Australian Imperial Force. They fought in the Gallipoli Campaign without their […]

Please RSVP to nillumbikhs.sec@gmail.com by Friday 15th May to assist with catering   §§§§§   Payment can be made in advance to Bendigo Bank 633-000 122948409 – Nillumbik Historical Society   OR by cash or card on the day     to share the flyer click TALK SUNDAY 17th MAY to open and download it

August is Family History Month at Yarra Plenty Regional Library   DOWNLOAD THE FLYER with details of planned talks and events

On Friday 29th August, the new Playground at Ryan’s Reserve in Broadgully Road, Diamond Creek was officially opened. Speeches were given by the Hon. Vicki Ward, Member for Eltham, Nillumbik Shire Mayor, Cr John Dumaresq, CEO Carl Cowie and Ellis Ward Councillor Peter Perkins. We were able to link council officers with members of the […]

We had a great day at the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival on Sunday 31st August. It was a mixed day weatherwise but nothing to dampen our enthusiasm or that of festival visitors. Our stall was once again in a terrific location in Allwood House Gardens and we were entertained throughout the day by the singers and […]

Be sure to visit us at the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival tomorrow. We are in the same location as last year – in the Allwood Neighbourhood House Inc gardens, just inside the gate opposite the end of the railway line.

Nillumbik Historical Society would like to welcome you to our home at Ellis Cottage on Ellis Cottage Reserve Diamond Creek to learn about our township’s history. A detailed presentation will accompany the talk which will cover many aspects of our history from early days of subsistence farming and wood carting; the discovery of gold and […]

In November, Nillumbik Shire Council installed two new informative panels on Watkins Street Reserve. They form the Diamond Creek section of the Heidelberg School Artists’ Trail and replace signs that were installed in a similar location along the creek about 25 years ago, that over time deteriorated and were removed. MAY VALE May Vale was […]

John Clarke, a descendant of Nathaniel Ellis who developed and worked on the farm around Ellis Cottage with his uncle William launched his book, Top House Blackawton Ashby Park, about the Ellis and Watts families in our barn on September 22. We had a cosy audience of Ellis family descendants and society members which made […]

For morning or afternoon tea at one of Nillumbik Shire’s oldest buildings, built in 1865.   Enjoy exclusive access to Ellis Cottage, our barn with historic displays and surrounding gardens.   Devonshire Tea & Talk with Tour – $18 per person or Tea, Coffee, Biscuits & Talk with Tour – $10 per person served with […]

Another great day at the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival on Sunday 30th August with great weather and plenty of interest in our photo and book displays. Our stall was once again in a terrific location in Allwood House Gardens and we were entertained throughout the day by the singers and musicians performing close by. Thank you […]

Please RSVP to nillumbikhs.sec@gmail.com by Friday 18th July to assist with catering   §§§§§   Payment can be made in advance to Bendigo Bank 633-000 122948409 – Nillumbik Historical Society   OR by cash or card on the day     to share the flyer click TALK SUNDAY 20th JULY to open and download it

Click to open and download our MILITARY HISTORY ENQUIRY FORM

Click to open and download our PHOTO ORDER FORM  

Click to open and download our DONATION FORM

Our next Open Day is   Sunday 2nd August   Ellis Cottage and the barn will be open from 2pm to 4pm     our helpful volunteers will be there to show you around and answer questions   Entry for both buildings   ADULTS     $5 CHILDREN (under 16)     FREE SOCIETY MEMBERS     FREE