Research Tools

Collections, online help and resources, including a considerable, up-to-date and wide-ranging Local History archive

This blog promoting local history in our community has been operating since 2006 and is managed by the Local and Family History Librarian Liz Pidgeon at Yarra Plenty Regional Library

From Laggan To Arthur’s Creek : The McDonald Family History and connections with The Draper Family, Charnwood.  First published 2010. Victoria

Seeds of Yesterday : the Fruit of Tomorrow : The McDonald, Draper and Underwood Families : Pioneer Orchardists and Farmers of Arthur’s Creek.  First published 2010. Victoria

Up the Creek : Early Days in the Arthurs Creek District.  First published 2018. Tales From The Treehouse, Victoria

Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute. Written to mark 150 years of continuous European settlement in Arthurs Creek and 125 years of the Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute. First published 2012.  Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute Inc, Victoria

The Fay Thomas Collection provides an insight into the lives of the local pioneering Thomas family, extended family and the broader community of the City of Whittlesea. The collection includes photographs, books, correspondence, manuscript material and ephemera dating from about the 1830’s through to the present

The Arthurs Creek Mechanics Institute is an historic, community owned building built in 1887, set in the heart of the township of Arthurs Creek and available for event hire.  Beautiful building, great location and maintained and operated by a volunteer committee of management

There are 11 local history groups in Nillumbik who celebrate the history of individual townships and districts. These volunteer organisations play an important role in preserving the unique heritage of our Shire

The EDHS encourages interest in and the sharing of stories about the local history of the Eltham district in Victoria, Australia

A vast collection of online and offline records and details of how to contact EDHS for further information

The Nillumbik Historical Society was formed in 1973 with the inaugural meeting held at Lovitt Cottage, now known as Ellis Cottage

An online encyclopedia designed to document life in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. WikiNorthia is an innovative project that encourages people across five local councils with rich cultural histories and diverse communities to get together and tell their stories providing a snapshot of life in the north of Melbourne now as well as the past. The generation and preservation of this information will be of a lasting benefit to the community

A valuable constantly growing free resource about Australia and Australians. It searches resources from its own holdings and those of other Australian institutions, including hundreds of newspaper titles and magazines, including The Australian Women’s Weekly,  journals, books, articles, letters, archives, maps, photos, music, sound, video, archived websites and more

Victorian Collections is a central portal to over 100,000 collection items and cultural treasures held by local history and community groups distributed across Victoria. It includes local collections including Eltham District Historical Society, Greensborough Historical Society and City of Whittlesea

The Nillumbik Historical Society aims to preserve and share the history of Nillumbik. We have a large archive of photographs, artifacts and historical documents relating to people who have lived in the area and places in the district they lived farmed and mined, with a particular focus on the wider area around Diamond Creek

The Heidelberg Historical Society has a shared interest in understanding and preserving the history of Heidelberg and surrounding suburbs. This includes helping to provide a place for the accumulation of objects and documents that add to the district’s story. We want people to be able to find historic artefacts and information in the future

Arthurs Creek Cemetery: a History (Revised Edition). Published 2004. Arthurs Creek Cemetery Trust, Victoria

Pioneers & painters : one hundred years of Eltham and its shire. Published 1971.  T. Nelson, Victoria

Yan Yean : A History. Published 1978.  Yan Yean School Council, Victoria

The Melbourne Book. Published 1948.  Ure Smith, Waite & Bull, Sydney

The Last Cry.  First published 1997. Tarcoola Press, Victoria

In 2015, the Nillumbik Heritage Guide was produced, supported by a grant from the Public Records Office Victoria.  Further grant funding was received to expand the book into digital content in 2020 to showcase Nillumbik’s heritage sites.  The project is managed by Nillumbik Council with support from the Yarra Plenty Regional Library and Yarra Plenty Heritage Group which consists of 13 local historical societies.  The new digital version was released in December 2020 and can be linked to by clicking here

The Andrew Ross Museum is housed in a former schoolhouse in picturesque Kangaroo Ground in the Shire of Nillumbik.  The museum has amassed a large photographic collection and historical documents on many of the early families and is a good point of contact for anyone wishing to trace their heritage

Friends of Burnley Gardens aims to provide support for and foster public awareness of the historic Burnley Gardens; assist with special projects selected by the Friends in consultation with Burnley Campus staff; and bring together people with a common interest in the Burnley Gardens

The Museums Victoria wax fruit collection includes over 1800 realistic wax fruit and vegetable models. The majority of these were made by artisans employed by the museum between 1873 and 1960. The collection features over 50 fruits and vegetables

The Australian Garden History Society promotes awareness and conservation of significant gardens and cultural landscapes through engagement, research, advocacy and activities

Nillumbik Reconciliation Group is a volunteer-based, non-profit incorporated group committed to furthering the process of reconciliation with Australia’s Indigenous peoples – the first Australians. Based in the Shire of Nillumbik, we aim to cultivate and promote the issues of reconciliation in our local region.  Our website also contains links to publications and events of interest

The RHSV’s collection is used extensively by local history and family researchers, post-graduate students, authors and commercial enterprises

The archive of the State Government of Victoria. Holding around 100kms of records dating from the mid-1830s to the present day

A cultural and heritage destination for Victorians, and a catalyst for generating new knowledge and ideas.  Available for online and offline research

Colourful Characters of Hotham & Harrietville.  First published in 2003.  Reprinted 2010. Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

 Colourful Characters of The Dargo High Plains.  First published 2004.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

Colourful Characters of The Bogongs.  First published 2006.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

Colourful Characters of The Victorian High Country.  First published 2008.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

Colourful Characters of The Victorian High Country.  First published 2010.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

Colourful Characters of The Victorian High Country.  First published 2012.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741

A Final Tally of High Country Characters.  First published 2014.  Ligare Book Printer, NSW.  Address for copies: Ian Stapleton, Feathertop Track, Harrietville, VIC, 3741