Promoting Melba Today

Every year Australia passes a new milestone in the recognition of Dame Nellie Melba.

This page will highlight those events and ensure the continued recognition of the role Dame Nellie Melba played in the development of opera and Australia as a nation of independent, locally born people.

Presentation to the GSV

Earlier this year, the Lilydale & District historical Society’s president Sue Thompson gave a Zoom presentation to the Genealogical Society of Victoria on the history of our society.

In this our 50th year of operation, it seems appropriate we share the talk with our members, supporters and the wider community.

Central to our society is our most famous resident Dame Nellie Melba and her father businessman and entrepreneur David Mitchell. In the talk Sue highlights the important role both played in the history of the society and the district and the ongoing promotion the society does to ensure they are not forgotten.

From a group which was formed to run a couple of displays for the Centenary celebrations of the Shire of Lillydale, we have come a long way in preserving, conserving and promoting our district’s fascinating history which underpins the community we are today.

Melba’s 160th birthday Celebrations

May 19, 2021

Melba and Amazing Women

The Lilydale & District Historical Society joined forces with the Lilydale Library to present a 160th anniversary event on May 18 celebrating Melba and the lives of other amazing women buried at Lilydale Lawn Cemetery.

Melba Rotary Cemetery Walks

Mikayla van Loon from Lilydale’s newest newspaper the Lilydale Star Mail joined us for our Rotary Walk on Melba’s birthday and generously wrote the article below.

Earlier Mikayla wrote another article on Melba published in the Star’s first edition on May 4.

With the new Kinley development underway, many people wanted to hear Sue Thompson speak about the history of the former Cave Hill Quarry and Farm operated by David Mitchell and his family. Sue’s Kinley Talk was booked out and another is scheduled for later in the year. Again Mikayla attended. You can read her report.

For news any time, please join our society’s Facebook pages:

Lilydale & District Historical Society

Melba

Local winemaker releases anniversary wines

De Bortoli, a proud sponsor of the Melba Opera Trust and a local Yarra Valley winery also celebrated Melba’s 160th anniversary by doing what it does best – releasing new wine fit for a Diva – Melba Amphora.

Lost Melba Footage Revealed

For several months, the society’s Sue Thompson has been working with Simon Smith Senior Curatorial Officer with the National Film and Sound Archive to identify the various members of Melba’s family featured in the recently discovered 1927 film of Melba at home at Coombe Cottage. As well as Melba the film includes George and Evie Armstrong a young Pamela Armstrong (Lady, Pamela Vestey), women gardeners who worked for the famed gardener Edna Walling and various friends. A tennis party, walking round the garden, horse riding and wonderful homely scenes are featured in the film.

Watch

Sue Thompson Tallking About Melba

Radio Interview – “Dame Nellie Melba left us 90 years ago…”

The 23rd of February 2021 marks 90 years since we lost Dame Nellie Melba. The President of the Lilydale & District Historical Society, Sue Thompson spoke to Michael McLaren on 2GB radio about her life and legacy – Listen to the interview here

Coombe Cottage

Inside Melba’s home, Coombe Cottage, Coldstream, Victoria.

Online Shop

Purchase books, CDs, photographs and other merchandise

Share Your Information with the Museum!

Email us your info (and images) to:
[email protected]

Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays

Nellie Melba Museum

Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
Email: [email protected]

Share your info with us:
[email protected]

Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By Appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays

Nellie Melba Museum

Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]

Nellie Melba Museum

Contact Details:
Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]

Our home is the Old Lilydale Court House:
61 Castella Street, Lilydale 3140
Hours of opening:
By appointment only:
Fridays 1 to 4pm and Saturdays to Mondays 11am to 4pm.
Sundays are preferred.
Closed Public Holidays

Share Your Information
with Nellie Melba Museum!

Sue Thompson: 0475 219 884
[email protected]