Nothing is known of Robert Main except that he was a Warrnambool carpenter who had a wife named Jane and he died on 9th August 1880. He left an estate to the value of £35. The Warrnambool lawyers, Bayley and Higgins operated in Warrnambool in the 1880s. Mr Bayley came from Port Fairy and Jabez Higgins, well-known in Warrnambool for his sporting and community interests, purchased the legal practice of Bayley and Higgins with his brother in 1875. Jabez Higgins built the residence, ‘Corio’ in Warrnambool and died in 1886. Tait collection: item 6 of 62This document is of significance only in that it is an example of probate papers drawn up by Warrnambool solicitors for a deceased Warrnambool resident in the 1880s. This is a piece of white parchment with ruled black lines and folded and sealed at the bottom with a seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria. The seal is attached to the document by a blue ribbon. There is also a red stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is dated 1881. Apart from some minor staining the document is in good condition. The material is handwritten in black and red ink‘In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, in its Probate Jurisdiction, in the Estate of Robert Main, late of Warrnambool, in the County of Villiers in the Colony of Victoria, carpenter, deceased, Letters of Administration, Bayly and Higgins, Proctors, Warrnambool, Recd. 6/9, 25o, 8/11/81, W.A.R.’robert main, bayley and higgins, solicitors

No information is available on George Murray except that he was a Melbourne accountant and died intestate in 1885. He left property to the value of £91 and the lawyer, Ernest Chambers, who was at that time at 12 Chancery Lane, Melbourne, was directed to list the creditors of George Murray and distribute the estate accordingly. Mr Chambers was one of George Murray’s creditors. Ernest Chambers later had a legal practice with offices at Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy with the known dates 1897 to 1910. Thomas Goodall was the manager of the Warrnambool office and he was the one who had this document in his possession at that time and it was passed down to succeeding lawyers in the Kepler Street building. Tait collection: item 7 of 62This document is of interest in that it was originally issued by the lawyer Ernest Chambers who later had an office in Warrnambool. This is a piece of parchment containing the 1885 Letters of Administration in the estate of George Murray, a Melbourne accountant. The document is white with black ruled lines and has handwritten material in black ink. The document is folded at the lower edge with a seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria. The seal is attached to the document by a green ribbon. There is also a blue stamp of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is in good condition apart from some minor staining. ‘In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its probate jurisdiction, in the Estate of George Murray, late of Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria, accountant, deceased intestate, Letters of Administration, I certify that no duty is payable on the within Letters of Administration, John W. … (office under section 6), 15/6/85’. george murray, ernest chambers, warrnambool

Tait collection: item 19 of 62 This is an 1899 document giving Will and Probate details of William Cox who died in Warrnambool in March 1899. He was a farmer residing in Moore Street Warrnambool at the time of his death at the age of 83. He left real estate to the value of £425 and personal estate to the value of £412 to Gwenllian Williams who may have been his sister or niece. A Mr and Mrs Williams were also living in the Moore Street house at the time of Cox’s death. His executors were Thomas Goodall, a law clerk who managed the office of the lawyer Ernest Chambers in Warrnambool and John Ward, a pioneer settler in Warrnambool and a shopkeeper in Jamieson Street in 1899. No other details are available on William Cox. This is an interesting document as it gives details of the Will and Probate belonging to a local Warrnambool person, William Cox. The lawyer dealing with the document was Ernest Chambers who had legal offices in Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Koroit at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. This document has been passed on to successive lawyers occupying legal chambers in the Kepler Street building and that is where the document was held until passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in 2014.This is an 1899 piece of parchment paper folded in two with handwritten material on three sides of the paper. The seal of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria is attached with blue ribbon and there are two stamps, one blue one of the Colonial Bank in Warrnambool and the other a red one of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court in Melbourne. Two of the pages have ruled black lines. The writing is very clear but the pages are a little stained.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In its Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of William Cox late of Warrnambool in the Colony of Victoria farmer deceased; Probate; I certify there is no duty payable on this probate (signature) Officer under Section 96 of act No 106; E J W Chambers Warrnambool Proctors for the Executorswilliam cox, ernest chambers, john ward, thomas goodall, tait collection

This violin was made by Mr Edward Richter who lived in Warrnambool for 78 of his 85 years. he was born 10/03/1853 and was an expert model maker making models of ships. The Warrnambool Museum in 1937 held a model of the Cutty Sark which he had made from timber from the wreck of the Enterprise which was wrecked on Warrnambool beach. Violins were another of of his hobbies.This violin has a connection to Warrnambool through the maker who was a long time resident of the town. It belongs to an era when many people were interested in and turned their hand to making objects such as this.The body of the violin is stained brown in colour with black neck and bridge. The four strings are nylon. The pegs and scroll are timber of a finer grain than the front and back.The tailpiece and end button are black material. The bridge is missing. The stand is rectangular with violin shape cutout, painted in red with a ply backing. Small leather strap on one end. Six large and two small drilled holes around front section.Richter written in large letters on back of standwarrnambool, edward richter, handmade violin, richter warrnambool

These pages contain details of the local branch of the Save The Children's Fund. it records events such as film and card luncheons and street stalls which all contributed to fund raising efforts of the group. Names which are mentioned include Central Court Motel, Stan Stephens and the Capitol Theatre,Mrs D Ogier, Mr & Mrs Merryne Ritchie, Warrnambool golf course, Sir Brian Murray Mr & Mrs K Swinton,, Mrs Shirley Taylor and Mrs Tup Isles This report has social significance as it contains names of local people and records the types of activities in which the group participated Five pages of handwritten notes from exercise book. Written in blue biro.Pls type for mrs tait written in greylead at top of first page . Annual report 1984-1985.warrnambool, warrnambool save the children fund

This child's plate was owned by Elizabeth Morgan who was married to Mr P B Webb who was mayor of Warrnambool in 1917. A common item which has significance as it belonged to a local person who was Mayoress of Warrnambool Pale blue straight edged round baby's plate with wide flat rim. Transfer of lion in greenery surrounds is in centre of bottom of plate. Four small transfers of clowns around the edge of the larger transfer.. The alphabet and numbers 1-10 are around the flat edge of the plate. The side has a small ridge which has the remnants of gold paint. A break in the glaze of the bottom of the plate displays blue material.Alphabet and numbers warrnambool, baby plate, elizabeth morgan

This note-pad and holder perhaps belonged to Jessie Bell whose name is written on the first page. There are several entries on the pages and the dates range from 1908 to 1929. The entries include references to a Banquet for Mr J. Duffus, Purnim, 1912, Jack Ross’ Wedding Party, Dennington, 1912, R.J. Jones’ Dance, Woolshed, 1928 and Leila Jenkins’ 21st Birthday Party, 1928. This notebook and holder is of interest because it is an example of the type of appointment book used by the more affluent in the early 20th century. This is a heavily-embossed silver note-pad holder with a hinged lid on the front and clips at the side to hold a pencil. The writing material inside the pencil is missing. The back of the holder has a blank space in the middle where a name can be inscribed. At the top of the holder is a ring, holding a chain with an ornamented clip at the end. This enables the holder and pad to be hooked over a belt or lapel. Inside the holder are fifty paper pages on which to write appointments or notes. The pages are gilt-paged. The paper contains several notes handwritten in pencil re dances, parties etc. First Page: ‘Jessie A. Bell, Warrumyea, Wangoom, Warrnambool’ jessie bell, appointment book, warrnambool history

Alexander Black was a painter and decorator who operated a business in Timor St below Swinton’s. This ledger shows the items typically sold by the painting and decorating trade as well as names of local people and businesses such as T Redford, PJ McGennan, Smith Bakery, Sheldrick Brewery, and Co, Mr. Plowright and Victorian Railways and Gas works.This ledger provides a snapshot of daily life in the early 1900’s and documents the type of work completed by tradesman and their associated costs. It lists a number of people and organizations which are of historical interest to Warrnambool and district.Long thin rectangular ledger book. Worn dark aqua cardboard cover with black binding. Handwritten entries occupy three quarters of the ledger with line drawn through each entry. The entries relate to goods sold. Year written at top of page and dated in left hand column. warrnambool, warrnambool painters and decorators, black painters warrnambool,

Alexander Black was a painter and decorator who operated a business in Timor St below Swinton’s. Some of the customers in this book are town council baths, Mr Fritz Landmann, St John’s Church, Thomas Redford, Thomas Robinson, Public Works Department, J W Crawley, Jas McLeod, W J Jackman among many more.Listing many local people and being associated with a local business, it has social and historical significance.Large rectangular hard card cover. Maroon, blue and cream patterned card cover with dark green spine binding. Hand written entries listing details of work completed at front and tenders for work at the back of the book. Paper label pasted to front cover “Working account book from 5th December 1899 to August 1918 Tenders at back of book 1900.” Purple oval stamp Alexr Black Painter Importer of paper hangings Warrnambool. Handwritten inside front cover: Mr Alex Black Timor Street Warrnambool. warrnambool, alexander black, alex black painter, black painterwarrnambool,

This is a card sent by Mr and Miss Robertson thanking the Warrnambool Club members for their sympathy following a recent bereavement. The Warrnambool Club was established in 1873 as a gentlemen’s club and the Warrnambool Club building in Kepler Street, still standing today, was erected in 1877. No information is available on the Robertson family except that they lived in Penshurst but it is presumed that Mr Robertson was a member of the Warrnambool Club.This card is of interest as it has a social history showing the type of bereavement card used in the early 1900s – a plain card with a black edging. These cards could be purchased in bulk with a blank sheet for inserting the relevant details. The connection with the Warrnambool Club and the Robertson family is also of interest.This is a small cream-coloured card with black edging. It has handwritten material on it written in black ink. It has a small slit in the left hand corner indicating that it has been pinned to a notice board or wall. ‘Sincere Thanks, President & members Warrnambool Club for deepest sympathy, Mr and Miss Robertson, and beautiful wreath in our sad trouble, Coolabah, Penshurst’warrnambool club, robertson family

This letter written by Mary Adams concerns the sale of a property, ‘my Hopkins land’, perhaps in the Warrnambool area. No information is available on Mary Adams or her ‘Uncle Jim’. There is a reference in the letter to ‘Mr Lawson’ and this may refer to a member of the Lawson family living in Warrnambool about this time, perhaps Richard Lawson who, in 1908, was Principal of a private school, Warrnambool College Academy. The Mountain Grand Guest House in Warburton was a well-known guest house in Victoria for many years and was still in existence in 1948. The letter came to the Society’s collection with other material relating to the Warrnambool Club. As no enlightening information is available on this letter or its contents it is of little importance at this time. Further research may render it a useful item to keep. This is a letter of two pages written in 1908 by Mary Adams to her Uncle Jim. The letter is handwritten in black ink. The letter is written on the green notepaper of the Mountain Grand Guest House Warburton, Victoria‘Mountain Grand, Warburton’ (on letterhead)mary adams

From other correspondence in this collection of letters we have established that Mr Kirkham is a breeder of long wool Lincoln sheep who was eager to establish the breed in Australia and New Zealand. Augustus Bostock is mentioned at the bottom of this letter To that end, he speaks of establishing a number of prizes called the Kirkham prizes with the emphasis being on the quality of the wool. He states as an aside at the end of the letter,” I have now determined to export my best sheep leaving the home ** to my father and nephew, I would like to number ** amongst my customersThis letter shows the link between wool breeders in England and their efforts to establish connections and supplies in Australia.Large cream sheet of paper with black ink hand writing .Back of sheet is blank. Folded in half.Signed Kirkham.warrnambool, j kirkham, augustus bostock, long wool lincoln sheep, long wool lincoln

The seller of these items was A.L.V. Jenkins who was a bookseller and stationer in Warrnambool and obviously also sold miscellaneous goods such as spectacles. It is known that Mr Jenkins was in Warrnambool in 1910. The type of glasses suggest early 20th century use. These items are of interest as examples of spectacles used over a hundred years ago. They are also one of the few items we have connected to the business of A.L.V. Jenkins.This is a pair of spectacles with the glass intact and with gold metal rims, nose and side pieces and screws. They are in a brown leather case with a cardboard lining and a slot in the leather to insert the leather tongue that acts as a closing device. The leather is slightly worn and torn. ‘A.L.V. Jenkins, Warrnambool’ a.l.v. jenkins, early type spectacles, warrnambool

These are two tickets issued by the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was formed some time in 1934 and continued on until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included picnics, Christmas parties, balls, dances and dinners. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. No information is available on Messrs Gallacher or Abernethy. Mr Abernethy received a complimentary ticket as he was the President of the club at the time (1948)These items are significant items as examples of the activities of the Boomerang Club, an important social club in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century. These are two Boomerang Club tickets. One is a buff-coloured card for the Members’ Ball on November 4th (no year) with black printing and the other is a pink card with blue printing, a Complimentary ticket for membership for 1948-49. Both cards have a sketch of a boomerang. Card one: Club, Members’ Ball, November 4th, Name…. Mr R. Gallacher, Admittance only by this ticket. (Written list of dances on back) Card two: Boomerang Club, 1948-1949, Complimentary, S. Abernethy, President, W. L. Grant, N. B. Grant, Hon Secs. (on back – Mr S. Abernethy) warrnambool boomerang club, warrnambool

This is a member’s card for the Warrnambool Boomerang Club. This club was a social club that was formed some time in 1934 and continued until at least 1956. By the late 1930s there were nearly 200 members who took part in activities that included balls, dances, Christmas parties, picnics and dinners. Profits from the Boomerang Club functions were donated to local charitable organizations. The member, Mr S. Aberneathy, was a local Warrnambool resident. This is a significant item as an example of a member’s ticket from the Boomerang Club, an important social group in Warrnambool in the mid 20th century.This is a member’s ticket for the Boomerang Club, a card of thick paper, dark red on one side and white (buff-coloured) on the other. One side has gold-coloured printing with a gold boomerang and the other side has the Secretary’s and Treasurer’s name and the name of the member signed in blue ink. There is a small hole on one side to attach the card to a chain. The card is somewhat worn with age. One side: Boomerang Club, Members Ticket, 2/- Other side: J.W.Greening, Secretary & Treasurer, Name…. Mr S. Aberneathy warrnambool boomerang club, mr s aberneathy, boomerang club

One of a number of documents relating to the Bostock family. Unsure to which Mr Bostock this letter relates. Generally speaks of the weather and his wife’s illness.One of a number of items relating to the Bostock family and is indicative of letters of the time. One page hand written letter in black pen. White lined paper.Addressed to Mr Bostock from J C McPherson. Dated 13/07/52 ?bostock, warrnambool

These boxes were commonly used to hold and carry cutlery between storage and the table. We have no information on Mr Godfrey. They are also sometimes referred to as knife boxes. A common item in many households in the 20th century.Wooden rectangular box with sloping sides and partition with hole in centre in the middle. Unpainted timber which is joined with nails on the corners and baseFrom J J Godfrey on bottom of box in blue texta.knife box, cutlery box, j godfrey

The handwriting of the Skilbeck inscription suggests that it is of 19th century origin so the first owner of the book may have been Richard Skilbeck, a pioneer of the Koroit district who was at Yangery Grange farm from 1866 to 1916. The name on the printed label would be that of a Skilbeck descendant. This book is of antiquarian interest and is also kept because of its connection to the Skilbeck families from the Koroit area This is a hard cover book of 357 pages. It has a green cover with black and gold decorative panels and scrolls and gold lettering. The cover is somewhat stained and the spine is a little faded. The book has 33 chapters and advertisements at the back of the book for other books by the same author. There are decorative borders and scrolls at the beginning and end of each chapter. There are several black and white full-page illustrations, all protected by tissue paper. The inscription is handwritten in black ink and a piece of paper containing a printed name and address is affixed to the first page with adhesive tape. This label appears to come from an address on a parcel or newspaper. ‘Skilbeck Yangery’ ‘18 Mr Skilbeck Southern Cross Store Warrnambool’ richard skilbeck, yangery grange, yet not i

This bottle was used by the Warrnambool chemists, Dougall and Easton. Their pharmacy was at the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets (102 Liebig Street) and it was established in 1913. In March 1923 they leased the business to Leonard Eason when Mr Easton opened a pharmacy business in East Camberwell in Melbourne. This bottle is of interest as it is one of the few items in our collection that is associated with the early 20th century Warrnambool chemists, Dougall & Easton. This is a glass bottle with a rectangular body with rounded sides, a circular-shaped neck and a moulded circular top with a glass stopper. The name of the chemist is embossed in an indent on the front of the bottle. The bottle is empty and the inside of the bottle is slightly discoloured. On base: ‘M’ On front: ‘3 V111’ ‘Chemists, Dougall & Easton, Warrnambool’ warrnambool chemists, history of warrnambool, dougall & easton,

This book was one of several independent publications dealing with Australian and Pacific topics. The author, J. Alex. Allan, was a Councillor with the Historical Society of Victoria. The book is less important than the inscription on the first page which indicates that the book was a gift from the staff of Warrnambool High School to William L. Grauer, a teacher who was leaving the school in 1946. Mr Grauer, born in Warrnambool in 1915, became Supervisor of School Forestry in 1968 and served in in the Australian Army and Air Force in World War Two. The Grauers were a prominent early family in the Allansford area and descendants still live today in Allansford and Warrnambool. Warrnambool High School opened in 1907 as the Warrnambool Agricultural High School and merged with Warrnambool North Technical School in 1994 to become Warrnambool College. This book is of interest as it was given as a farewell gift to a member of the Warrnambool High School staff in 1946 and contains the signatures of ten fellow teachers, including the Headmaster, Roy Andrews. The recipient of the book, William Grauer, was a member of a prominent family in the Allansford area.This is a hard- cover book (Social and Economic Sketch of Victorian History) of 172 pages. It has a plain dark red leather cover with a buff-coloured strip pasted on the spine. It is by J. Alex. Allan and was printed in 1945. There are 19 chapters and an Epilogue. There are several pages of black and white photographs. Spine: ‘Cheshire, Men and Manners in Australia, Allan’ On frontispiece: ‘To W.L. Grauer, With best wishes from the Headmaster & Staff, 1946, Roy W. Andrews, Betty H.T. Ward, H.E.L.Jones, S.A.O’Keefe, W.B.Gow,.A.F. Coggins, Leo Ingwersen, Winifred B. Gray, Ida L. Henderson, Lilian M. Williamson’ w.l. grauer, warrnambool high school

This book containing the 17 cantos of Don Juan, was owned by Con O’Mahony a lawyer who lived in Warrnambool at the turn of the 20th century He won the Bowen prize for essay writing in 1883. He operated from Royal Chambers in Kepler St Warrnambool for some time in partnership with Mr E W Klingender. An item which belonged to one of Warrnambool’s most prominent citizens at the time.Blue linen over card embossed in gold with crest and mermaid on front cover with overall pattern of crowns and the letter “B” Title Poet and publisher’s name in gold on spine of book. Back cover plain. 612 pages with 4 black and white plates included.Stamped C O’Mahony Solicitors Warrnambool in purple ink. Dedication: to Algernon Charles Swinburne. MDCCCC11(1902)Printed by William Clowes and sons Limited London and Beccles.warrnambool, con o’mahony, byron’s works,

This report documents office bearers from the 1535 and a chronological list of fellows from 1873 up to 1932. William Roy Angus a doctor who practiced in Warrnambool and to whom this booklet belonged, is listed among the fellows of 1928. It lists his contact details as C/- Mr W J Angus 37 Kermode Street North Adelaide South Australia.A link to a member of the Warrnambool community.Cream cover with black text and circular emblem in centre of cover. The back cover has small text in the centre.140 pages. December 1932. J W Dowden.warrnambool, royal college of surgeons edinburgh 1932, william roy angus,

The minutes book of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill are an important record of the beginnings of one of Warrnambool's major industries for close to one hundred years. They record the struggle in the early days of 1909 and 1910 to raise the capital. Also mentioned is the support which had been given by local people of small means who were prepared to back the enterprise while those with financial means had been rather more reserved. Apart from a Mr Vidler all the initial directors were initially working in an honorary capacity. They lamented the fact that local banks held half a million pounds on fixed interest so there was no shortage of money. The first directors were appointed in March 1909 : Jas. Worland, W H Philpott, G S Mackay, E H Price, S McDonald, J C Beeching, W Rogers ,J Marfell, J Deany, Jas Duirs, Jas. Ponting, H Jessen, S Nettleton, J Blain, J Gooden, Drs. Holmes, Henderson and Powell. Mr J E Bennett was secured as first manager of the mill in 1910 Over the ten year period of this book there is much discussion on possible returns and share prices as well as decisions relating to the operation of and production from the mill. Within four years they were using more yarn than they were producing. Electricity was connected around 1914 and by 1915 shareholders were receiving eight percent return on their investment and were also contributing to the first world War effort by supplying blankets. Assets continued to accumulate and building was also continued with sandstone being quarried from the site and rain water tanks and asphalt floors installed, all contributing to savings. By 1917 The Warrnambool Woollen Mill was considered to be one of the states best investments and it continued to prosper through the years. The second minutes book likewise records similar events and circumstances for the period 1933-1945. This like wise is an interesting period, covering the period of the second World War. In 1955 the Warrnambool Woollen Mill formed a partnership with the Wangaratta Woollen Mills. Dunlop bought the mill in 1968. From that time until its closure in 2000 it had a number of different owners, the last being the Smith Family Industries. These minutes books hold an important information regarding the establishment and early operation of one of Warrnambool's major industries. The mill itself has strong connection to the Warrnambool community and many of the names mentioned as directors and shareholders have held positions within the community as businessmen and city officials. These minutes add another dimension to their contribution to Warrnambool..1Navy blue hard card cover with cloth spine. White label glued to front cover.186 pages.There are handwritten entries in black ink which are interspersed with reports from newspaper. .2 Pale grey cloth cover on early Kalamazoo filing system 612 pages of typed minutes . .1There are dates from 1910 through to 1923. Minutes have been signed by chairman of directors, M Saltau.label on front cover has blue stamp, The Warrnambool Woollen Mill Company. hand written above in black ink "opened 24th March 1909." .2 dated from May 1933 to September 1945. Signatures include M Saltau, James Disckson and Fletcher Jones.warrnambool, warrnambool woollen mill, first minutes book warrnambool woollen mill, minutes book, warrnambool woollen mill 1909, minutes book warrnambool woollen mill 1945

This is booklet of 32 pages. It has a buff-coloured cover with some ornamental scroll patterns and blue and gold printing. The pages contain printed text and black and white photographs. The pages have been bound with staples and tied with yellow cord but the staples have been removed.non-fictionHistory of the first 60 years of the Warrnambool Baptist Churchwarrnambool baptist church, baptist church 60 years warrnambool

These booklets document the formation and the aims of two early dairy factories in the Koroit and Tower Hill area. These factories later became part of the Koroit FactoryThese two memorandums of association document the formation of two early butter and cheese factories in the Koroit and Tower Hill area, listing the first directors. A meeting at the Koroit Town Hall on May 23, 1888, unanimously decided to form the Koroit and Tower Hill Butter Factory coy. Ltd. Mr W J Anderson started the movement to establish a butter factory to suit the convenience of the share farmers of the Tower Hill Park estate in the early 1890's. Both of these factories were ultimately bought out by the Koroit Factory.003048.1 10 page small buff coloured booklet dated 1893 with pencilled note "Supplier names to Dept. Agriculture requesting Pamphlets be sent them" 003048.2 8 page cream coloured booklet dated 1888003048.1 Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Tower Hill Park Butter and Cheese Factory company, Limited. Warrnambool Printed by Thos. Smith, Koroit Street. 1893 003048.2 "The Companies' Statute, 1864" company limited by Shares Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Koroit and Tower Hill Butter and Cheese Factory, Limited. ~ Warrnambool: Thos. Smith, Machine Printer, Koroit Street, 1888memorandum and articles of association, butter and cheese factory, tower hill park butter and cheese factory, koroit and tower hill butter and cheese factory, thomas smith printer, dairying factory, john wilson anderson, john campbell jnr., joseph lamb wall, thomas gleeson, john quirk, michael hally, robert kerr, william crowe, james young, patrick mcgrath, richard skilbeck, peter mcvicar, tower hill park, illowa

This map was printed in 1925 and contains the Warrnambool Harbour alterations proposed by the Warrnambool Harbour Committee incorporating the original designs of Captain Menzies, the Warrnambool Harbour Master and the City Engineer, Mr A. Lavercombe. The main features of the proposal were the extension of the Eastern Wall to almost enclose the harbour and a basin in Lake Pertobe. The design was to be placed before the Victorian Royal Commission on the Outer Ports which was established partly to examine the allegations of unsatisfactory work carried out in Warrnambool when the Breakwater was extended 300 feet in 1914 and also to make recommendations regarding all regional ports. The Warrnambool Breakwater was completed in 1890 but failed to provide the shipping conditions needed to continue Warrnambool as a viable port. Many plans and proposals for port improvement such as this one were produced in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century with the port officially closed in the 1940s. Still today the Breakwater and Warrnambool Harbour conditions remain a source of contention.This map is significant as it shows a 1925 design for Warrnambool Harbour hitherto little-known. It also has markings showing land sites of the time (BayView Hotel, Woollen Mill etc.)This is a map made of thick yellow paper pasted onto a cloth backing. It has two cloth tags at the top for tying up the map when folded. It appears to be a hand-drawn map copied with printed material added. The map is shaded green and red in some areas. Attached by nails to the map are wooden frames, rounded at the bottom and partly curved at the top. The map is torn and partly detached at the top. The top frame has a cord attached for hanging the map.warrnambool harbour, captain menzies, a.lavercombe city engineer, warrnambool breakwater, royal commission on outer ports