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Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Alexander Wright (Navarre)
Alexander Wright was born on 25 August, 1898 in Smeaton He was the brother of musician Frank Wright. Alex Wright was killed whilst performing at the Birmingham Empire as the result of a German air Attack in October 1940. The theatre had a direct hit. According to Frank Wright Alex was a great impersonator with a unique range Bass - tenor with many accents (not unlike Peter Dawson) "AUSTRALIAN CARUSO Smeaton Boy's Fame Andre Navarre, who left Australia about three years ago to study opera in Europe, bids fair to take a place among the world's great tenors. A few months ago Navarre sang for Melba for the first time, and she immediately acclaimed him to be a finished artist, describing his voice as the nearest approach to the immortal Caruso she had ever heard, writes the Ballarat "Courier." Andre Navarre is, however, only a stage name adopted by Alexander Wright, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William. Wright, of Armstrong street North, Ballarat, and brother of Mr. Frank Wright and Mrs. William Ritchie, of that city. Born at smeaton 31 years ago, in what may be termed a musical atmosphere; Alex. Wright showed a definite desire to sing at a very early age, and in his boyhood figured as soloist at school concerts, etc. His youth was spent around Smeaton, working at home and at various farms in the district until he was about 19 years of age, when he secured a position at the Dunlop rubber works, Melbourne. Up to this period Wright had no vocal training whatever, but being the possessor of a good resonant baritone voice, was persuaded by some of his friends to "have a go at the stage.'' Securing a position in the chorus of "Maid of the Mountains," which was at that time showing at the Theatre Royal, he soon made his voice heard to advantage, and also commenced to take lessons from Signor Robottaro. It was about this time that Wright was invited by a fellow musician to a musical evening at which a member of Rigo's grand opera company, then performing at " The Playhouse," was also present. Hearing Wright sing, the musician immediately said : ' You're a fool to waste your time in a chorus with that voice. Rigo is looking for a singer like you for the role of 'Figaro' in 'Barber of Seville'." Alex, however, did not take the remark seriously, and it was only after the numerous persuasions of friends who obviously knew the real value of his voice that the modest young man was eventually induced to meet Rigo. The Italian maestro was so delighted with the voice that without hesitation he was given the principle role of "The Barber" to study. Many singers having previously been tried and rejected for the part, Wright was astonished at his success in being chosen, and awakened suddenly to the fact by the maestro that a world voice, if properly trained, would surely develop in the young artist, Alex at once settled down to study, and all day long in his boarding house at St. Kilda could be heard rehearsing his new role. In less than a month he had completely mastered the part, and on the opening night, in the exacting role of "The Barber," he was an outstanding success. Later, he toured Australia with many leading artists, including Elsa Stralia and Harry Lauder, and spent his last two years in Sydney, where he was engaged as soloist in the biggest picture house. Realising that a training in Italy and on the Continent was essential for a successful operatic singer, the young artist decided to go overseas to continue his studies. He did not leave Australia, however, before he gratuitously gave a concert in his little home town to the obvious delight of all his old friends, who flocked from all parts of the district to hear him. The hall was packed to overflowing , and so pleased was Alex with the tumultuous reception he received that he sang fewer than 20 songs. Once in Italy, he lost no time in placing himself under the tuition of Cottone, and it was at the studio of this maestro that he met Toti dal Monte, a former protege of the same master. Two years were spent in Italy, when "Navarre" learned to speak the Italian language fluently, and acquired a wide knowledge of the operas. He sang in Milan about a year ago, and was paid some glowing tributes by the Italian Press critics, who likened his voice to that of Caruso. From Italy he went to Paris, where he met John Brownlee and many other famous singers. The critics on the Continent are unanimous that Andre Navarre-the unassuming Smeaton boy, whom his schoolmates still affectionately call "Hock"--is destined to become one of the luminaries in music history. It is interesting to recall some facts concerning the remarkable family from which this artist springs. Four other members have won championship honors in the musical world. Mr. Frank Wright has the Australasian cornet championship to his credit ; Mr. Norman Wright, of Sydney, has won a tenor championship of New Zealand, and has recorded for the Columbia Gramophone Company ; Mrs. Wm. Ritchie ( formerly Miss Laura Wright) won the A.N.A. contralto championship in Melbourne; whilst the oldest member, Lydia (Mrs. C. Cane, now in N.Z.) won the violin championship at South Street when 17 years of age. Last year Mrs. and Mr. Wright celebrated their golden wedding. Both of the old folk are intensely musical, and it has been said that the voice of the mother, although entirely untrained, showed in her earlier days glimpses of the beautiful quality which made Melba famous. Andre Navarre does not propose leaving the Continent for some time. Recently he was offered a 12 months' contract to sing in London for £2500 but on the advice of Melba and his coach, it was refused on the grounds that yet another 12 months' French study was necessary to ensure absolute perfection. That "Alex " has lost none of his school-boy wit is evinced by his own jocular remark that he has "a top C sharp that will crack every window in the Sydney Town Hall!" (Horsham Times, 20 February 1931) "AUSTRALIAN KILLED An Australian, Alexander Wright, radio variety star, who toured Europe and Australia under the pseudonym of Navarre, was killed during a recent air raid in a Midland . town. His broth-er, Frank Wright, is musical director for the London County council."(Border Morning Mail, 22 Oct 1940) Black and white image of Smeaton born Alexander Wright whose professional name was Navarre "Prince of Mimics". alexander wright, alec wright, navarre -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, The Courier Ballarat, 4/4/1960?
Yields information about the appearance of the tramway and other vehicular traffic in Ballarat in 1060 and was used to illustrate a proposal to rename the street.Black and White photograph of Ballarat No. 38 at the Eastern end of Sturt St West, following proposal to name that section the "Royal Mile". Photo published by The Courier 5/4/1960. Has the outbound tram standing while the front door is open with the driver looking back. Note the lack of motor vehicles (cars) in the street. Collected by Alan Bradley from the Ballarat Courier early 1980's. See Excel file "Record of Ballarat Courier Photos SEC era" (Archive Documents) for source of details.On rear stamped "Copyright, The Ballarat Courier Proprietary Limited." and "91 ARPT" in ink.tramways, trams, sturt st west, royal mile, tram 38 -
Clunes Museum
Photograph, HORNBY - STUDIO - CLUNES, 17-Sep-16
IDENTITY UNKNOWNORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF BABY. SITTING ON CUSHION, WEARING WHITE DRESS, BIB AND BOOTIES.local history, photography, photographs, costumes - child -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph, Paintings in Rotterdam's mission
Large b & w photograph. The paintings represent views of the Rotterdam Mission itself: on top the inside of the chapel (see item 1944) and the widest one the front of the mission. hand-written text: "Photograph of drawings of the / Missions to Seamen Club [Church crossed out] at / ROTTERDAM & after of the Chapel. "rotterdam, netherlands, overseas missions, dutch, chapel -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, Mrs Vic Fish, 1/05/2024 12:00:00 AM
Mrs Vic Fish (Myrtle)Black and white photograph of view from top of Myers St. hill looking west towards North Arm and Cunninghame Arm at Lakes Entrance Victoriawaterways -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Black & White Photograph/s, Bob Lilburn, Dec. 1962
Black and white photograph of W5 817 (West Maribyrnong, route 57) in Union Road Ascot Vale. Photo by Bob Lilburn Dec. 1962.Has on the rear in ink "MMTB 817 Union Rd Ascot Vale Dec 62"trams, tramways, w5 class, route 57, west maribyrnong, union road, tram 817 -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Ballarat School of Mines, c1980s, c1910
The Ballarat School of Mines was the first site of technical education in Australiasia.Ballarat School of Mines from Lydiard Street South. From left to right - the Ballarat School of Mines Administration Building, ans Ballarat Technical Art School.ballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines museum, lydiard street south, ballarat technical art school, administration building, a building -
Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society (operating as Lakes Entrance History Centre & Museum)
Photograph, 1900 c
Photo is not in album, original archived.Sepia photograph showing steamer Dargo. Small boat at back. Possibly on Bancroft Bay near Metung. Boole Poole peninsula in background. Metung Victoriajetties, islands, ships and shipping -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Federal Woollen Mills, Interhouse Sports, A Grade 1942, 1942
Between the 1920’s and 1950’s the YWCA, Blue Triangle and local committee of representatives organised an Inter House Athletics Day for Girls in Geelong and Melbourne. Local Geelong business, such as the surrounding woollen mills, business firms and church clubs would form teams of seven women to compete in a variety of sports such as bowls, basketball, hockey, cricket and soccer. Events such as these were organised to encourage women to participate in competitive sports and network with other women in the workforce.Framed photographFederal Woollen Mills, Interhouse Sports, A Grade 1942 The Lockwood Studios/ Geelongwoollen mills - history woollen mills textile mills - staff sporting teams, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, sport, woollen mills - history, woollen mills, textile mills - staff, sporting teams -
Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Photograph - Group photograph of cubs and brownies
Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the nineteenth century. This series showcases the wide variety of activities that occurred on the precinct.Group photograph of cubs and brownies gathered for a presentation in the orchard. Five members stand with their right hands raised.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil Handwritten in pencil 'A168'churchill island, photograph -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), "M.H.S Exhibition, Stage Display Pond", Malmsbury 1991
Associated with - M.H.S. Buildings - Town Hall People - "Slimmon, Barb" -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Marine Discovery Centre Portland, Victoria, 12/04/1922
Black and white photo (reproduction). SS 'PORT STEPHENS' berthed at big pier, loading barley for overseas, 12 APr 1922Front: 'SS PORT STEPHENS AT PORTLAND 12/4/22 -LOADING BARLEY FOR OVERSEAS' Back: '882' - in pencil -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Virginia Fenelen, c1998
Photographic portrait of Virginia Fennelenvirginia fennellen, univeristy women -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Photograph - 12 Leura Street, Surrey Hills, The Street Where You Live Project
Photos documenting this address as part of a photographic series undertaken by volunteer photographers during 2013 and 2014 for The Street Where You Live Project. This was organised through the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and covered the postcode 3127 in the cities of Boroondara and Whitehorse.These photos provide a snapshot of real estate in the suburbs of Mont Albert and Surrey Hills during a period of rapid change with many properties on large blocks demolished to create higher density residential development or renewal of single dwellings. At particular risk were properties not covered by heritage overlays, especially interwar housing and post 1950's housing. -
National Wool Museum
Photograph
Acquired when "Classweave Industries" closed down.P HENDER 23textile mills - staff woollen mills, classweave industries pty ltd federal woollen mills ltd, textile mills - staff, woollen mills -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Digital photograph, Lisa Gervasoni, Derby Street Flats, Kew. 2017, 2017
Kew is an eastern suburb of MelbourneColour photograph od a recently constructed block of flats in Derby Street, Kew.building, derby street, kew, residential, flats -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Federation University FedLiving Memorial to Residents Who Have Passed, 2022, 26/04/2026
Colour photographs of the FedLiving memorial to residents who passed.fedliving, student residences, student memorial, memorial garden -
Malmsbury Historical Society
Photograph (Item), M.H.S. Christmas Party (1990), Malmsbury ca1990
People - "P.C., M.A., B.H., R.M., S.C., H.H., T.C., H.H." Buildings - M.H.S. Associated with - M.H.S. -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Eastlink
Two coloured Photos of the Eastlink Project at the Deep Creek Road site, Mitcham on 6th December 2006eastlink, thiess-john holland, deep creek road mitcham -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Photograph, unknown
This reproduced photograph is of Pennyweight Flat near Beechworth, a notable area of the 1850's gold rush in Victoria. Donald Fletcher, migrating to Beechworth from Scotland in 1855, had substantial claims at Pennyweight Flat and was amongst the first in the district to utilise hydraulic sluicing and water diverting methods.The flat is said to have seen a flurry of 200 miners to the area around 1857, and by 1861 when work commenced on extending Fletcher's tail race the census recorded 644 people residing there (European males, females and Chinese). Pennyweight Flat is also significant for the cemetery that resides on the hilltop and which noted approximately 200 burials from the gold rush period 1852-1857, known for a long period as a children's cemetery due to the number of children's graves present.The search for gold is ingrained into the history of Victoria and therefore, images like this one which portray an open cut sluicing site can reveal important information for society and technology for the date when the photograph was taken. This image is of important historical significance for its ability to convey information about sluicing and the methods used to find gold in 1910. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertaken which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. This image is important for current research into the history of Beechworth and surrounding area including Victoria's North East. The Rocky Mountain Extended Gold Sluicing Company was a long running and very active mine that was one of the most successful and largest in the district. Therefore, this image has the capacity to be beneficial for research into society and the motivations of those living and working in this region during this period and therefore, has social significance. The Beechworth Burke Museum has additional images relating to gold sluicing which can be analysed and studied alongside images like this one. When the mine closed in 1921, in a liquidation sale, Zwar purchased the tunnel and clear water supply that ran under the town of Beechworth. He directed the water to his tannery and over time built a major industry in leather works that was a major employer in Beechworth. In growing his leather business, Zwar installed crude oil engines for electricity in his factory. He oversaw working with local council to introduce electricity to Beechworth via a sub-station on Albert Street. In 1927 Electric street lamps replaced gas lamps in the streets of Beechworth. Black and white rectangular reproduced photograph printed on glossy photographic paperObverse: Reverse: 84.222.5/ digital print/ rocky mountain extended gold sluicing company, gold, sluicing, gold sluicing, hydraulic sluicing, gold mine, open cut mining, mining, gold mining, north-east victoria, beechworth, burke museum -
Phillip Island and District Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, 1950's
One of a collection of 8 photographs donated by Bob Notley of San RemoBlack & White photograph of the Blowhole at The Nobbies, Phillip Islandthe blowhole phillip island, the blowhole at the nobbies, phillip island coastline, bob notley -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Image, St Joseph's Orphanage, Sebastopol, 1923
Black and white image of St Joseph's Orphanage in Sebastopol, Victoria.orphanage, catholic, residential care, st joseph's orphanage, sebastopol, st joseph's home -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - STRAUCH COLLECTION: MARINA MEYER NEE KOCH
Copy of photograph of Marina Meyer nee Koch, b. 1840 Holstein Germany m. Heinrich Meyer 1864 D. 1916 at Bendigo. Managed Adventure Vineyard, Tannery Lane with help of only daughter, after husbands death in 1888 photo courtesy - F.Legg, Melbourne.N.White Sandhurstphotograph, person, meyer, bendigo-vineyards-meyer- koch- german -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
DANCERS WEARING NATIONAL COSTUMES? AT TOWN HALLlocal history, photography, photographs, events and celebrations -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mr John Monaghan -- Portrait 1879-1949
Portrait of John Monaghan 1879-1949stawell -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Manual (Item) - Vickers Aircraft Accessories
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Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Prince Alfred Football Club, Port Melbourne, Allan Farrow, 1952
Two photographs of Prince Alfred Football Club, 1952Sunday amateur football league presented to Mr J SCOTT, president Prince Alfred Hotel, Port Melbournesport - australian rules football, prince alfred hotel, l jones, j tims, b bragg, j walsh, h brown, j carrol, j tillie, r dobson, p harris, w austin, e colbert, l fraser, j scott, j dobson, r mareslaux, j powell, w leslie, g barclay, k mcmartin, r maloney, j johnson, k clayton, a wood, r callender, l parrish, g mangan, r tinzley -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Linton Brass Band, Hospital Sunday, Recreation Reserve, 1910
Black and white image of seventeen men dressed in uniform and holding instruments. One of the men has a small drum sitting in front of him. A man and a woman are visible in the background, behind the band members, sitting on the ground. Further behind them is a post and rail fence with three men standing behind it and a child sitting on the top railing of the fence. Image has been mounted on dark grey card.Text, handwritten, front: ABOUT 1910 LINTON BRASS BAND W. TODD BANDMASTER / Mr TRENGROVE DRUM MAJOR. Text, handwritten, reverse: BACK ROW: GEO PRESTON PADDY TODD / BILLY TODD Mr J SHEPHERD / WILLIAM TODD BAND MASTER / MILTON TODD Mr TRENGROVE DRUM / MAJOR / (HOLDING BATON) / Mr GEO BENNETT Mr ANGUS / DIDDY POWELL / FRONT ROW: ALBERT SIMPER / SOMER DONALDSON ERN CHING / CHARLIE ROBERTS DRUMMER / ARTHUR POWELL PERC ROBERTS J BERSEY / HOSPITAL SUNDAY RECREATION RESERVE / ABOUT 1910.brass bands, musicians, geo preston, paddy todd, billy todd, mr. j. shepherd, william todd, milton todd, mr. trengrove, geo bennett, mr. angus, diddy powell, albert simper, somer donaldson, ern ching, charlie roberts, arthur powell, perc roberts, j. bersey, linton -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Manual (Item) - Atar Engine Overhaul Manual
Description: 200 pages. Published by RAAF. Published December 1962. AAP 711.55 Vol.1/Book 2 or publication 09C002 (PLATES) Level of Importance: World. -
Port Fairy Historical Society Museum and Archives
Photograph
Seacombe House Formerly The Stag Inn note balcony and sign "Coffee Palace"Black and white photograph of 2 story building with a corner balcony 3 males and a female on footpath 1 female on balconyhotel, sackville street, bank street, lennox trew, john sanders, john saunders, john mason, abijah brown, coffee palace