FIRST LOVE tells the story of three passionate young girls from Phillip Island who aspire to make a career out of surfing. The film stars Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk, India Payne. Also appearing Stephanie Gilmore, Coco Ho and Alana Blanchard.The first feature length Australian surf film which tells the story of a group of young female surfers. The film has screened at a number of major film festivals and won two major awards at the X-Dance Film Festival in 2011.DVD cover features a colour photograph of the three stars of the film, Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk and India Payne.Rip Curl Logo, film festival logosfirst love, jess laing, nikki van dijk, india payne, stephanie gilmore, fran derham, clare plueckhahn, georgia fish, cahill bell-warren, coco ho, alana blanchard, claire gorman

Eleven copies of the University of Ballarat Alumni newsletter called The Flag. .1) David James, Gwenda McManus, Kerrie Edwards, Steve Bracks, Cordell Kent, Australian Native Gold, Koori Education Unit, Pat Hope, Rozeena Begum, Lidcha Mul. .2) Gwenda McManus, Wilhelmus, David James, University Mace, Trefor Prest, Steve Moneghetti, Shaun Creighton, Peter Blackburn, David Waite, Sandy Blythe, Kim Ross, Michael Wilson, Betty Gill, Betty Fish, Tom Hill, Bill Pryor . .3) David James. Sandy Blythe, Geoffrey Blainey,Jamie Shaw, Kiran Mazumdar, Stuart Pursell, Tony Singh, Ballarat Teachers' College, Frank Nolan, Carolyn Blackman. .4) David James, Malini Chitaranjan, Chandker Varadhan, Lola Montez, Regina Molloy, Bert Labont'e, Jayne Reynolds, Amanda Sandwith, Roger Short, Stephen Kemmis, Barney Glover, Thomas O'Donnell, Sandy Blythe, Laurier Prosser, John Sharpham, Jack Barker, Xiaoli Jiang, Catherine Pearce, Nepal, Ballarat Teachers' College, John Culvenor, Richards Medal, Karl McCann. .5) Gwenda McManus, David James, Ron Wild, Merger, Wimmera Institute of TAFE, Katherine Birkin. .6) David Caro, Chancellor appointment, David James, Ellen Sellers, Ballarat Teachers' College Reunion, Briana Folkes, Lorri Coburn, Paul O'Donohue, Graeme Kelly, Tracy Plunkett, Julie Kellett, Unisports rehabilitation, Hong Kong graduation, China, koalas. .7) Hong Kong graduation, David Janes, Argentina, Richard Alder, threatened animals, reconciliation, Leoda Atkinson, mural, Jodie Lowe, indigenous Australians, Sue Turale, nursing, Hong Kong, Geoffrey Richards, Janice Edwards, Laura Chibnall, Franky Christiano, Nessa Jenkins, Kerrie Powell. .8) David James, Graduate Centre, Greenhill Enterprise Centre, Warren Young, Parks Victoria, Maxitrans, netball, John Magrath, maths, Catering for the Olympics, Eddie Turker, Maryanne Coutts, Sonia Colville, Daryl Wisely, Laura Wakeling. .9) Camp Street Redevelopment, Arts Academy, David James, Gwenda McManus, Doug Lloyd, Ian Gordon, University Appeal, Hong Kong, Sue Turale, Edward Wong, Hakodate University, Paris, nursing, Malaysia, Yuri Tanabe, Amanda Mead, Mary Modeen, Barry Judd. .10) Kerry Cox, Gwenda McManus, wildlife, MartinWestbrooke Brian McLennan Art Scholarship. Anne Saunders, Shenzhen, Hong Kong. .11) CFA, Kerry Cox, Wayne Robinson appointment, Terry Lloyd, Empire Rubber, Churchill Fellowship, Russell Rees, bus mural, Janice Croggon, John McDonald, Imogen Schwarz, Andrew Dark, Jacqueline Dark, building, Jeff Goodiesonmcmanus, kent, bracks, vermeend, university games, greenhill, netball, magrath, coutts, turker, colville, wisely, wakeling, moneghetti, alder, atkinson, lowe, tirale, richards, blackburn, pryor, blainey, shaw, pursell, singh, blackman, wild, ballarat school of mines, wimmera, wimmera institute of tafe, merger, birkin, caro, sellers, folkes, coburn, o'donogue, kelly, plunkett, kellett, unisports, hong kong, alumni, koala, muzumdar-shaw, arts academy, camp street precinct, camp street

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of two men, one dressed in a dark suit and the other dressed in trousers and waistcoat, holding a large fish in his right hand. They are standing on the rail tracks of a pier. The men are Frank Wright on the right and Joe Foster on the left. The place is on the pier about 20 miles from Maryborough, Queensland (possibly Hervey Bay).Written in pencil on back - Taken on the pier about 20 miles from Maryborough (Q), Joe Foster sec Q.B.A., Frank Wright, March 1932 Printed on back - Printed by Pat McNamarafrank wright, joe foster, maryborough, pier, hervey bay

Edith (Alice) WATSON (1914–2010) Murtoa | Australia Alice Watson studied at the Ballarat Technical Art School (at the School of Mines, Ballarat) from 1930 until 1933. Watson sat several departmental exams, including drawing and painting plant forms from nature, lettering, Composition of Form and Colour and advanced General Design, as well as dressmaking and embossed leatherwork. General Design examinations required only designs on paper, and not the full execution of an object (which was the case for Applied Design exams). Watson's folio applies many Australian native floral elements to design. Upon graduating, Watson taught at the Murtoa High School, living with her parents until their deaths in 1972 and 1988 when she was 74 years old. Alice Watson died in Ballarat, aged 95, having conserved her beautiful student folio, which was generously gifted to the Federation University permanent Historical Collection by the Watson family. A folio of thirty three drawings and paintings undertaken by Alice Watson at the Ballarat Technical Art School. The works include including the application of Australian flora to designs, including for pottery, leather and applique. .2) is a design for a table runner to be executed in richelieu work .3) frieze including fish .4) "Design for a border to be executed in stencil". 1932 .12) "Design on the waratah for a bowl to be executed in clay". 1932 .14) "Time test" .12) .17) .15) .18) show the combination of Australian flora with Art Nouveau-inspired designs .9) is a design for a wallet to be executed in raffia showing elevation, side elevation and plan views .11) is a design for a prayer book carrier to be executed in leather work .10) is an example of pencil transfer method of design seen on .11) .18) Design for a fan, image of birds and berries on a blue ground. .25) landscape illustration .27) "development" design based on a correa .29) "Design for a tea cosy based on the Cobia-Scanden to be executed in applique. 1931 (see also .31) .30) "Design for a writing tablet to be executed in embossed leather work and based on the native fuschia" (correa). 1931 .31) a completed doily holder: applique workMost are signed A. Watson 1931 .2) Paper is embossed with stamp of 'Goodall's Bristol Boards' stamp. (Crown depicted in centre) .20 and .22) Paper is embossed with 'Windsor & Newtons Bristol Board' stamp.(Griffin depicted in centre)ballarat technical art school, alice watson, flora, design, artwork, folio, art nouveau, alumni, leather work design, richelieu work, applique, doily holder, doyley holder, general design, edith alice watson

University of Ballarat is a predecessor institution of Federation University Australia.Class photograph at Mount Helen in front of the Tree of Knowledge.university of ballarat, commerce, dean gordon, brett ellis, juston wightman, peter baker, graeme fish, russell keith, drad de jong, travan greenbank, craig rumble, arjuna wimalasuriya, david kefford, sau fong tang, pei lin lim, john di pietro, chung tin chung, jacinta frith, tree of knowledge

Ballarat University College is a predecessor institution of Federation University Australia.Class photograph taken on the Mt Helen Basketball Court.ballarat university college, human movement, applied science, john zampatti, martin hole, paul gastin, andrew farrance, rebecca micich, vicki plaisted, ian anderson, paula sharry, kerin barnard, sharan clements, melissa aston, joanne richardson, katrina marshall, cathy samson, tania maloney, tina bumpstead, naomi millie, fiona cox, sarah fish, joy blackburn, felicity minchin, karen davison

Digitised directly from 'Blackfellows of Australia' by Charles Barrett and A.S. Kenyon (Sun Books)Black and white depiction of an Aboriginal man in a bark canoe. aborigine, aboriginal, bark canoe

Digitised directly from 'Blackfellows of Australia' by Charles Barrett and A.S. Kenyon (Sun Books)Black and white depiction of an Aboriginal man spearing fish at the waters edge. aborigine, aboriginal, spear, fishing

The artists who contributed to this work were undertaking an Advanced Certificate in Koori Art and Design, which ran at the Ballarat School of Mines from 1995-2002)Photograph of the Ballarat School of Mines Possum Skin Cloak, along with details of each panel. .1) View of engraving .2) View of fur .3) Centre detail by Diane Nikkelson .4) Detail by Joe Lee .5) Detail .7) Detail of a swan .8) Detail of a snake by Sam Morrison .9) Detail of a turtle .10) Detail of a whale .11) Detail of an eel by Diane Nikkelson .12) Detail of an emu by Laura Guest .13) Detail of a parrot .14) Detail advanced certificate in koori art and design, possum skin cloak, greg clark, laura guest, tim karpany, kym krasa, joe lee, jason marks, sam morrison, bianca nikkelson, diana nikkelson, kelly saylor, val d'angri, fred cahir, paul lambeth, aboriginal, eel trap, whale, cockatoo, snake, turtle, fish, eagle, emu, swan, pelts, possum

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 316 page hardcover book of a collection of fishing stories by various authors, Australian and overseas, with drawings by Australian cartoonists and B & W photos of fish. Published in 1966 by Lansdowne Press, Melbourne and printed by the Speciality Press, Clayton, Victoria. Contributors include - Bob Dyer, Arthur Upfield, Russell Drysdale, Zane Grey, Nino Culotta, Ion Idriess. Catalogue sticker ''2173 POL'' on spine. Handwritten in biro on flyleaf ''For Alec, with kind regards, Jack Pollard''.Jack Pollardbooks, collections, fishing, alec h chisholm collection, fishing, angling, jack pollard, australian authors

A handkerchief box containing 'The Sun-News Pictorial,' cuttings on 'The Wonders of the Wild.' These clips contain photos of Insects, flora, birds, fish, lizards, snakes, trees, marine animals. In serial form 1-100. Dated 1938.Wonders of the Wild. Sun 1938. 1-100place, land, wildlife, lydia chancellor, collection, wildllife, australian flora, australian fauna, plants, animals, australian plants, australian animals, australian wildlife, marine life, australian marine life, australia, sciences

RAILWAYS COLLECTION 2 x -Colour Photos of Elphinstone Tunnel (this photo was used by Jim Evans in his booklet -Melbourne to Bendigo Railway 1862-2012 and quotes the Photographer as Geoffrey Russell). The photo is printed on quality paper showing an entrance to the tunnel which is in fair condition with bricks and stone on the face and has two train tracks running through.Geoffrey Russellphotograph, landscape, elphinstone tunnel long rail laid bendigo, wednesday.—one of the most unusual operations undertaken by the victorian railways took place on the bendigo-melbourne line at the elphinstone tunnel this afternoon, when two rails, each 1, 710ft. in length, were placed in posi- tion in the tunnel. these rails were the longest ever laid in victoria, the previous greatest length being 225ft. the tunnel, which is 1, 254ft. in length, is the longest in the state, and forms an historic link with the early railways of victoria, being constructed in 1862, three years after the first train ran in australia. the object of the work is to improve the track for the fast train services and to reduce the cost of maintenance. by putting in a welded rail right through the tunnel the use of "fish plates" will be eliminated. for the new undertaking 110lb. rails are being used to replace the 80lb. rails at present in use. the rails, each weighing 30 tons, were made from 38 sets of rails of 45ft. each, the welding taking place on the site of the work. hauled by an x35 locomotive the long rail was placed in position 3½ minutes after the first pull. the work was carried out without any in- terruption to traffic.

Pointing bones were ritualistically used by sorcerers for magic. The 'magic' and 'sorcery' from 'pointing the bone' can involve the ritual removal of organs from the body, done when a person is asleep, and then put back into the person unknowingly. In this way a person can be 'sung' but will be unaware of it. This pointing bone was originally given to Sir Wilfred Fish, FRCS, who was a Kings Surgeon and had been giving lectures in Sydney in the 1920s on his specialty, maxillofacial surgery. His daughter, Mrs Vivian Greaves, gave this item to Sir Keith Drayton some years later. Pointing bone, from Central Australia. The object is a carved macropod fibula. At one end there is a blob of resin and an attachment of human hair in a string. At the other end, the bone has been sharpened to a point.

From its earliest days, the Ithacan Philanthropic Society has conducted an annual family picnic held at country towns on Melbourne's urban fringe. For many years Bacchus Marsh was a popular venue where this picnic group was photographed. Women would prepare delicious traditional Greek food and families would group together to enjoy a wonderful picnic spread. The annual Ithacan Picnic has been a very important event on the society's social calendar. In the early days, as many of the families ran family businesses such as fruit shops, fish shops and cafes, Sunday was the only break they had away from their work. The picnic gave them a chance to relax and to catch up with extended family and friends. Today the picnic continues to be an extremely popular day for the members where generations of Australian Ithacans get the opportunity to reunite. A black and white photograph of a large group at a picnic standing and sitting around and enjoying a picnic meal which has been spread out on the ground. Three cars are parked in the background under the trees.

Pictured are brothers, on the left, Yiannis (Soufis) and on the right Anastasios (Stravolemis) Papadopoulos. Unknown man in centre. Anastasios migrated to Western Australia from Ithaca in 1912 and Yiannis (John) followed in 1913. They found work in Kalgoorlie where they experienced the race riots of 1916. In that same year they left W.A. and hitchhiked across the Nullarbor travelling by camel train, van and on foot to reach Melbourne where they both settled. John operated a fruit business in South Melbourne; Anastasios a fish and chips shop in Chapel Street South Yarra.A studio sepia photograph of an old torn photograph of two young men with an older man.pappas

The Australian Women's Weekly from July 19, 1961. On the cover a picture of the P&O liner Canberra berthing at the new terminal at Circular Quay after her maiden voyage from Southampton. Content: Woollen handbag to make - The Jacky Kennedy story - Tropical fish - Home dressmaking - You have a right to be unhappy - At home - Cookery - Cookery course - Bedjacket to knit - Collectors corner - Prize recipes - Home plans - Gardening - Television - Films - Learning about husbands - That fickle feeling - Edge of the sea - The case of the duplicate daughters - Dress sense - Fashion frocks - Fashion patterns - it seems to me - Worth reporting - Your bookshelf - Letter box - Australian nature - Crosswords - Stars.books, magazines, women's magazine

This helmet was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. This is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This helmet is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Black and gold papier mache helmet with knob on top and black satin rectangle attached behind.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, helmets

This upper garment was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. This is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This upper garment is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Upper garment with fish scale decoration in gold with blue trim and a smallstainless steel/chrome half spheres attached to the chest. The sleeves have decorated cuffs and small shoulder 'wings'.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costumes

This decorative overskirt was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. This is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This decorative overskirt is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Decorative overskirt in three leaf-shaped panels decorated in gold scales with blue trim.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costume

This costume tail was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. This is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This costume tail is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.'Fish' tail that is attached around the waist decorated with gold scales with a blue trim.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costumes

These trousers were obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. These are part of a 'fish warrior' costume.These trousers are significant for their links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Pale blue satin/silk trousers with elastic waist and ankles.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, helmets

This boot was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. It is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This boot is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Black boots with white, platform/wedge styrofoam sole, lined with starched interfacing and cardboardyoung chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costumes, boots

This headscarf was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. It is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This headscarf is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Light blue satin headscarf or kerchief.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costumes

This belt was obtained by Charles Quon, probably from Hong Kong, and used by the Young Chinese League in their processions. It is part of a 'fish warrior' costume.This belt is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Blue and gold belt with eleven studs running along the centre line.young chinese league, melbourne, victoria, australia, processions, costumes, belts

Double Headed Rail from Ravenswood Station Siding which was dismantled circa 1987 the two rails were stored for a time at Maldon before being donated to Puffing Billy Museum Bearing makers marks of Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, England from 1872 - 1883 Double-headed rail In late 1830s Britain, railway lines had a vast range of different patterns. One of the earliest lines to use double-headed rail was the London and Birmingham Railway, which had offered a prize for the best design. This rail was supported by chairs and the head and foot of the rail had the same profile. The supposed advantage was that, when the head became worn, the rail could be turned over and re-used. In practice, this form of recycling was not very successful as the chair caused dents in the lower surface, and double-headed rail evolved into bullhead rail in which the head was more substantial than the foot. Info from Wikipedia - Rail Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_profile The first records of double headed rail being used In Victoria by Victorian Railways was in 1859, the rails, chairs, oak and trenails were imported from UK. After the 1870’s the Victorian Railways went over to using flat bottom rails, but they still needed replacement double headed rail for lines already laid and this continued up to at least 1883 Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield- Steel works Wilson & Cammell made Steel rails at their Dronfield Steel Works, in Dronfield England from 1872 - 1883 Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway The Melbourne, Mount Alexander & Murray River Railway Company received parliamentary assent in February 1853 to build Victoria's first inland railway from Melbourne to Williamstown, and Melbourne to Bendigo and Echuca. Construction commenced in January 1854 with work on a pier at Williamstown but lack of funds slowed progress, eventually prompting the company to sell out to the government. The 100-mile (162 km) section to Bendigo opened in October 1862. Its cost of £35,000 per mile made it the most expensive railway ever built in Australia. In 1864, the line was extended to Echuca, tapping into the booming Murray-Darling paddlesteamer trade. info from Museums Victoria - Victorian Railways https://museumsvictoria.com.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=450&gall=456 1863 Ravenswood Station open on the 1st Feb 1863 Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Ravenswood Siding When the Victorian Railways were established in 1856 they adopted one of the popular British permanent way standards - heavy 80lb (36.3kg) double-headed rail held up right in cast iron chairs attached to transverse timber sleepers by wooden pegs called trenails. The Ravenswood Railway siding was constructed in 1862 with 12 feet wrought iron double-head rail held in cast iron chairs with Ransom and May patent compressed keys. Trenails held the chairs to the sleepers and the joints were secured in joint chairs. Joints were subsequently joined using fish plates. It formed part of the Melbourne to Echuca rail line, initially known as the Melbourne, Mt Alexander and Murray River Railway. George Christian Derbyshire, the first Engineer-in-Chair of the Victorian Railways was responsible for the design and construction of the works. No new lines were built in Victoria using double-headed rail after 1870. The siding was disconnected from the main line in 1988. The Ravenswood Railway Siding demonstrates the original 1856 philosophy of the Victorian Railways to adopt British permanent way technology. The siding demonstrates significant aspects in the development of permanent way technology in England and Victoria over the period from the 1830's to the 1880's. The chairs in the Ravenswood siding are physical evidence of early railway technology rendered obsolete 120 years ago, namely joint chairs at rail joints and trenails to secure the chairs to the sleepers. The double-headed rail demonstrates an important stage in the evolution of British rail technology in the 1830s. The old fish plates, square headed bolts and square nuts demonstrate the success of fishing the rail joins. The Ravenswood siding demonstrates the earliest form of rail joint technology developed in England, and existing in Australia, the joint chair. In part of the siding the sequence of joint and intermediate chairs is consistent with the 1856 specifications, that sequence is rare with the joints secured in joint chairs. The survival of chairs in this sequence is rare and almost certainly demonstrates that they remained in continuous use at the same location from 1862 to 1988. This remnant of the Ravenswood siding has survived 126 years. The siding has proved to be the most significant of extant remnant double-headed sidings in Victoria, containing a rare combination of early permanent way technologies. Construction dates 1862, Info from Ravenswood Railway Siding Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/4693/download-report The remaining section of this siding is significant at the State and National levels in that it demonstrates the use of chaired rail by the Victorian Railways Department for the Trunk Lines and, more particularly, the following stages in the evolution of this long obsolete method of permanent way construction: a) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs at regular intervals inferring that the original wrought iron rail lengths were 12 feet, as is known through documentary sources to have been the case. The survival of chairs in this sequence is unique and almost certainly demonstrates that they have remained in continuous use at the same location and in the same sequence from 1862 to 1988 . b) The use of joint chairs and intermediate chairs designed for use with trenails. c) The use of later intermediate chairs designed for use with steel pins and the use of fished joints with steel double head chaired rail, representing a second method of constructing the permanent way using chaired rail technology. info from Ravenswood Siding - Melbourne/Echuca Railway Line - Victorian Heritage Database Report http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/70103/download-report Addition to Citation for Melbourne to EchucaRailway Line 1/10/1990 Double Head Rail The surviving lengths of double head rail with chairs on this railway compare with one surviving similar remnant on the Geelong to Ballarat railway and are representative of permanent way construction techniques applied exclusively to the two trunk railways of the 1860's. In this respect they are rare survivors and may be unique at the national level and of technical importance at the international level to the extent that they enhance contemporary understanding of early railway building technology. Surviving lengths of chaired double head rail survive at Kyneton, Ravenswood and Bendigo on this railway and include a number of different types of cast iron intermediate and joint chairs with hardwood keys and metal pins. The Ravenswood siding is of special significance for the diversity of chair types and for the sequence of chairs recalling rail lengths known to be associated with construction of the line in 1862. Construction of the Railway Tenders closed on 24 March 1858 with no less than 133 tenders being received. A contract was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937 to commence work on 1 June 1858 and complete the line by 31 July 1861. Cornish and Bruce made quick early progress with the Melbourne to Sunbury section being officially opened on 13 January 1859. The line was officially opened to Bendigo (Sandhurst) on 20 October 1862 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Barkly. A great banquet was held for 800 guests and this was followed by a grand ball. The extension of the line to Echuca was a relatively simple matter as that part of the line was across plain country without any significant engineering challenges. Tenders were called for the work in 1863 and the work was completed in 1864 by contractors Collier and Barry Apart from the line contractors, other firms directly involved were J Shire law and Co (sleepers), R Fulton, Langlands Brothers and Co, William Crossley (water supply), B Moreland, Langlands Brothers and Co (platelayers lorries), E Chambers (iron pins, traversers), Miller and McQuinstan (luggage vans and steam engines) and various contractors for building works. Info from Engineers Australia Engineering Heritage Victoria Nomination for Recognition under the Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Program for the Goldfields Railways - Melbourne , Bendigo & Echuca Railway Page 25 - .2.9.2 Statement from National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Listing number B5323 for Mt Alexander/Murray Valley Rail Line: Page 69 - Theme 3 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/system/files/engineering-heritage-australia/nomination-title/Melbourne_%20Bendigo_Echuca%20Railway%20Nomination.pdf The Melbourne, Mount Alexander and Murray River Railway Company was a railway company in Victoria, Australia. It was established on 8 February 1853 to build a railway from Melbourne to Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border and a branch railway to Williamstown. The company struggled to make any progress and on 23 May 1856, the colonial Government took over the Company and it became part of the newly established Department of Railways, part of the Board of Land and Works. The Department of Railways became Victorian Railways in 1859. Construction of the Bendigo line commenced in 1858, but this private consortium also met with financial difficulties when it was unable to raise sufficient funds, and was bought out by the Victorian colonial government. The design work was then taken over by Captain Andrew Clarke, R. E., Surveyor-General of Victoria, with bridge designs completed by Bryson and O'Hara The contract for the first stage of the line from Footscray to Sandhurst (now Bendigo), was let to Cornish and Bruce for £3,356,937.2s.2d ($6.714 million) with work commencing on 1 June 1858. Completion of the permanent way was to be by 31 July 1861 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne,_Mount_Alexander_and_Murray_River_Railway_Company Victorian Railways - purchased and imported the Rail and Chairs from Raleigh, Dalgleish, White and Co. London Importation of railway plant : abstract of a return to an order of the Legislative Assembly dated 27th June 1860 for - Copies of the advertisements calling for tenders, the names of the tenderers and the accounts and correspondence with Mr Brunel relating thereto GP V 1859/60 no. C 15 http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoC15.pdf Report from the Select Committee upon the Importation of Railway Plant : together with proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence and appendix GP V 1859/60 no. D 38 (2.9 MB) http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1859-60NoD38.pdf Victorian Railways : report of the Board of Land and Works November 1862 GP V 1862/63 no. 21 (2.8 MB) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1862-63No21.pdfHistoric - Victorian Railways - Double Headed rail Ravenswood Railway Station and Siding Victorian Heritage Database Reports Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1100 Victorian Heritage Register VHR H1786 National Trust VHR H1100 Mount Alexander and Murray River Rail way Line National Trust2 rail lengths of Double Headed Rail made of Iron makers marks : Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel and 20 joint chairs with metal rail pins Makers mark Wilson & Cammell - Dronfield - Steel (possible date 187? very hard to read ) puffing billy, double headed rail, wilson & cammell - dronfield - steel works, ravenswood station siding, melbourne to echuca rail line, initially known as the melbourne, mt alexander and murray river railway.