Local history
Local Indigenous history and heritage sites
The area now comprising the Shire of Nillumbik has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Wurundjeri-willam clan of the Woi-wurrung speaking people. The Woi-wurrung people belong to the confederacy known as the Kulin who reside in areas surrounding Melbourne, and whose collective territory extends across much of Victoria.
Nillumbik is located within the clan boundary of the Wurundjeri-willam (‘white gum tree dwellers’). Wurundjeri is the clan name, willam refers to a subsection of the clan associated with a specific land area recorded as the Yarra and Plenty.
The Wurundjeri name for the region is ‘nillumbik’, meaning 'shallow earth'.
Visit heritage sites in Nillumbik
There are many significant historical sites that you can visit in Nillumbik. These include historic buildings, cemeteries, bridges and memorials.
Nillumbik Heritage Guide
The Digital Nillumbik Heritage Guide showcases the rich history of Nillumbik through photographic images, interactive maps, pop up discoveries, and storytelling.
Discover the fascinating history of Nillumbik’s First People, our local pioneers, the Shire’s historic sites, homes and buildings, memorials and cemeteries, and our arts and culture heritage. All of this can be found among tales of local folklore and mysteries.
This interactive guide is a treasure trove of information accompanied by more than 300 photographs from our earliest history right through to the present day. There are also driving tours and historic walks to explore.
The guide has been created in collaboration with Nillumbik’s historic societies, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Nillumbik Reconciliation Group, Yarra Plenty Regional Library and dozens of other contributors. It was supported by a Public Records Office Victoria grant. Design by Rare Metal Pty Ltd.
Note: this document is designed to be viewed in full-screen mode.
Download a printable PDF version of the Digital Heritage Guide(PDF, 13MB)
Little Eltham Heritage Walk
The Little Eltham Heritage Walk allows you to step back in time and explore our living history. Many sites of historical and cultural significance are accessible on this walk, which you can start and finish at the award winning Eltham Library.
Download the Little Eltham Heritage Walk map(PDF, 2MB)
Nillumbik Oral History Project
In March 2024, a professional historian recorded two local history group members. These interviews chronicle their family history, growing up or moving to the Shire, living and working in Nillumbik. The interviews were undertaken by Katherine Sheedy of Way Back When Consulting Historians.
Doug Orford
Date: Tuesday 19 March 2024
Place of interview: Aurrum Aged Care in Plenty
Doug Orford, whose family first came to Eltham in about 1853, was born in Eltham in August 1929. Doug recalls his family’s connection to the area, starting with his grandfather in 1853, getting to school, growing up on an 18-acre block, working on the orchard, his father’s horse and cart, shops, deliveries, the war and rationing, Black Friday bushfires in 1939, and about establishing the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, later Eltham District Historical Society, of which he was a life member. Sadly Doug passed away just four months after his interview, in July 2024.
Victorian Collections website – Doug Orford
Russell Yeoman
Date: Monday 25 March 2024
Place of interview: Russell’s home in Eltham
Russell Yeoman first came to Eltham in 1964. Russell was a founding member of the Shire of Eltham Historical Society in 1967, and has been volunteer Society Secretary for more than 55 years. Russell discussed his arrival in Eltham in the 1960s, working as an engineer and then town planner for the shire, the changes in Eltham over time including from a town planning perspective, the unique character of Eltham and challenges this led to, the book Pioneers & Painters, forming the Shire of Eltham Historical Society, the Local History Centre, and what is unique about Eltham.
Victorian Collections website - Russell Yeoman
Research your local history
These online resources will help you to find out more about Nillumbik’s local history.
Historical societies and groups
Historical societies and groups in the Nillumbik Shire area include: