This short film by year 5 & 6 students Tom, Taryn, Mia Lee and Jonah from Mt Evelyn Primary School explores the role that David Mitchell, Dame Nellie Melba's father, had on the development of Lilydale and Melbourne.
Linking History, part of the Portrait of a Nation: History in Place Access Project was used by students at Mount Evelyn Primary School to research the films they created about Nellie Melba.
Portrait of a Nation: History in Place Access Project is a Centenary of Canberra project, proudly supported by the ACT Government and the Australian Government.
Further Information
TRANSCRIPT
NARRATOR 1: David Mitchell was born in 1829 in Scotland. He migrated to Melbourne in 1852 in search of gold.
NARRATOR 2: David Mitchell was a qualified stone mason from Scotland, and he worked on buildings like the Royal Exhibitions Building in Carlton. This is a plan for the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.
NARRATOR 1: He built a quarry and lorried out the quarry limestone. It is still there, but it is closing down soon so they can build houses.
NARRATOR 2: By the turn of the century, David Mitchell had factories producing soap, bacon, cheese, and butter at Cave Hill. He also owned several wineries. As well as being a businessman, David Mitchell was a father to Dame Nellie Melba.
NARRATOR 1: When David died on the 25th of March, 1916, Melbourne made a park and gate to tribute him.