This banner was one of five banners gifted to the Beechworth Chinese community in recognition of their support of the Hospital and Benevolent Asylum in 1875, from the Carnival Committee. These banners had been purchased in China by a social envoy from Beechworth then presented to the Chinese community during the Beechworth Fine Arts Exhibition in May of that same year, by Donald Fiddes, President of the Ovens District Hospital. The Burke Museum's Chinese Collection presents the history of Chinese settlement in Beechworth from 1856 and its involvement in local community affairs in the second half of the 19th century. In settling in the area they formed their own community with distinctive Chinese cultural traditions, forming their own 'camps' with laid out streets, housing a Temple, Chinese Theatre and restaurants, hotels, stores, gambling houses and dwellings. Members of the Chinese community took an active interest in town affairs and were generous donors to the appeal to build the Ovens District Hospital in 1856/7. The vibrant colours and dynamic graphics of the silk embroidered Chinese banners were a highlight of Beechworth Charitable processions that took place in the main street. Two of the Chinese banners were conserved for the Burke Museum in 2006 by Carol Campbell of Phoenix Conservation Services with funding from Victoria’s Heritage Grants. In 2015, with the enormous support of the Copland Foundation and fundraising activities by the Friends of the Bur Museum Committee, conservation of the third banner was undertaken by Artlab Australia in Adelaide. The banners display traditional Chinese textile techniques and are visually beautiful and very rare and are considered of local and national significance, with the potential to be deemed internationally significant.Multi panelled banner with embroidery and applied design motifs on front. The front panels have been constructed using strips of various weaves and colours of silk that have been embroidered or had a design applied prior to the overall construction of the piece. The embroidery is predominantly gold work with both plyed and floss silk threads.beechworth, burke museum, chinese, benevolent asylum, ovens district hospital, beechworth carnival processions, carnival, processions, beechworth chinese community, beechworth fine arts exhibition, donald fiddes

This banner was one of five banners gifted to the Beechworth Chinese community in recognition of their support of the Hospital and Benevolent Asylum in 1875, from the Carnival Committee. These banners had been purchased in China by a social envoy from Beechworth then presented to the Chinese community during the Beechworth Fine Arts Exhibition in May of that same year, by Donald Fiddes, President of the Ovens District Hospital. The Burke Museum's Chinese Collection presents the history of Chinese settlement in Beechworth from 1856 and its involvement in local community affairs in the second half of the 19th century. In settling in the area they formed their own community with distinctive Chinese cultural traditions, forming their own 'camps' with laid out streets, housing a Temple, Chinese Theatre and restaurants, hotels, stores, gambling houses and dwellings. Members of the Chinese community took an active interest in town affairs and were generous donors to the appeal to build the Ovens District Hospital in 1856/7. The vibrant colours and dynamic graphics of the silk embroidered Chinese banners were a highlight of Beechworth Charitable processions that took place in the main street. Two of the Chinese banners were conserved for the Burke Museum in 2006 by Carol Campbell of Phoenix Conservation Services with funding from Victoria’s Heritage Grants. In 2015, with the enormous support of the Copland Foundation and fundraising activities by the Friends of the Bur Museum Committee, conservation of the third banner was undertaken by Artlab Australia in Adelaide.The banners display traditional Chinese textile techniques and are visually beautiful and very rare and are considered of local and national significance, with the potential to be deemed internationally significant.The banner has a narrow fuchsia embroidered top border, a wider embroidered panel depicting 2 dogs with embroidered Chinese text and a larger lower panel with the embroidered text “PRESENTED TO THE CHINESE OF BEECHWORTH BY THE COMMITEES OF THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS (missing) THAT TOWN IN COMMEMOR (missing) OF THE CARNIVAL 1873” The 2 lower panels have narrow decorative borders decorated with mirrors and extensive embroidery. There is an additional embroidered tab running along the right hand edge. The bottom edge has a wide knotted fringe. The back is lined with fabric decorated with a painted scene. Refer Attachment 1 quote ARTLAB AustPRESENTED TO THE CHINESE / OF BEECHWORTH BY THE / COMMITEES OF THE PUBLIC / INSTITUTIONS THAT / TOWN IN COMMEMOR / OF THE CARNIVAL 1873beechworth, burke museum, chinese, benevolent asylum, ovens district hospital, beechworth carnival processions, carnival, processions, beechworth chinese community, beechworth fine arts exhibition, donald fiddes

This banner was one of five banners gifted to the Beechworth Chinese community in recognition of their support of the Hospital and Benevolent Asylum in 1875, from the Carnival Committee. These banners had been purchased in China by a social envoy from Beechworth then presented to the Chinese community during the Beechworth Fine Arts Exhibition in May of that same year, by Donald Fiddes, President of the Ovens District Hospital. The Burke Museum's Chinese Collection presents the history of Chinese settlement in Beechworth from 1856 and its involvement in local community affairs in the second half of the 19th century. In settling in the area they formed their own community with distinctive Chinese cultural traditions, forming their own 'camps' with laid out streets, housing a Temple, Chinese Theatre and restaurants, hotels, stores, gambling houses and dwellings. Members of the Chinese community took an active interest in town affairs and were generous donors to the appeal to build the Ovens District Hospital in 1856/7. The vibrant colours and dynamic graphics of the silk embroidered Chinese banners were a highlight of Beechworth Charitable processions that took place in the main street. Two of the Chinese banners were conserved for the Burke Museum in 2006 by Carol Campbell of Phoenix Conservation Services with funding from Victoria’s Heritage Grants. In 2015, with the enormous support of the Copland Foundation and fundraising activities by the Friends of the Bur Museum Committee, conservation of the third banner was undertaken by Artlab Australia in Adelaide. The banners display traditional Chinese textile techniques and are visually beautiful and very rare and are considered of local and national significance, with the potential to be deemed internationally significant.Multi panelled banner with embroidery and applied design motifs on front. The front panels have been constructed using strips of various weaves and colours of silk that have been embroidered or had a design applied prior to the overall construction of the piece. The embroidery is predominantly gold work with both plyed and floss silk threads. beechworth, burke museum, chinese, benevolent asylum, ovens district hospital, beechworth carnival processions, carnival, processions, beechworth chinese community, beechworth fine arts exhibition, donald fiddes

The Beechworth Historic Courthouse is a living history museum in Victoria, Australia. Built in 1858, it has been in continuous service for 131 years and is currently home to a unique collection of artifacts, including its original furniture and fittings. The Courthouse Law Library is also recognised as being of outstanding national significance with many rare books held in the collection. The courthouse was built in 1858 and is located in the centre of the Beechworth Historic Precinct. It was built from granite with a double height gabled courtroom with the entrance via a central projecting porch. The building was classified in 1959 as part of Group Classification (B2615)with Forests Office, Lands Office, Police Lock-up & Police Station. The Courthouse is a significant site in Australia’s legal history because it was the location of more than 40 trials and hearings for the Kelly Gang and their sympathisers.This a rectangular, black and white photograph, unmounted.Reverse Ministry of Tourism, Melbourne1850s beechworth, beechworth courthouse, ned kelly, 1800s beechworth, kelly gang, beechworth historic courthouse, 1858, kelly trials, daniel kelly, dan kelly, edward kelly, ellen kelly, elizabeth scott, the first woman hanged in victoria, colony of victoria, 1863, domestic violence related murder

Taken on the 1st of April 1928 and copied from a private collection on the 27th of January 2010 the photograph depicts three well-dressed men and a small child standing around a fountain at the back of the administration building of Beechworth's 'lunatic' Asylum The asylum was constructed between 1864 and 1867 to the designs by the Public Works Department (PWD) and was later renamed Mayday Hills Mental Asylum. The decommissioned asylum was one of the largest psychiatric hospitals in Victoria and consisted of sixty-seven buildings, one thousand two hundred patients and five hundred staff members. The asylum was one of the first asylums to focus on treatment and rehabilitation instead of institutional confinement. At the asylum, active work was considered imperative and workshops were located near the male accommodations and laundries and drying yards near the female accommodation. The asylum closed in 1995 and was sold to La Trobe University before being closed and sold again in 2011 to a private owner.This photograph is historically significant as it demonstrates the freedom and safety of those who visited the asylum while also highlighting this instutions mission to treat and rehabiliate patients instead on institutionalising them.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paperReverse: 7606-1/ Copied 27 Jan 2010/ Copied from private collection/ Inscribed on the back of original/ J.Pinfold 1-4-1929/ May Mental Hospital for the Insane. beechworth, beechworth mental asylum, beechworth lunatic asylum, beechworth mental hosptial, mayday, mayday hills, mayday hills mental asylum, administration building, fountain

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Regent Parrot has two separate populations separated by the Nullarbor Plain: one in the Mallee regions of eastern Australia, and the other in the Wheatbelt region of southern Western Australia. Though the populations are widely separated, the birds of each region do not appear especially different, one being a little duller than the other. There are, however, other differences between the two populations, especially in how they have fared: eastern populations are endangered, while the western population is thought to be increasing. The Regent Parrot eats seeds of grasses and plants and cereal crops, especially wheat. It also eats buds and flowers, insect larvae, psyllids and lerps. It forages in pairs or small parties, usually on the ground, but also in the canopy of trees or in spilled grain on the ground. The Regent parrot is endangered in NSW and Vulnerable in VIC This Particular specimen has been mounted correctly.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.A slim parrot with a long, dusky tapering tail and back-swept wings. It is mostly yellow, with blue-black wings and tail. There is a prominent yellow shoulder patch and red patches in the wings. The bill is deep pink. It is mounted on a thin wooden branch that is attached to a wooden mount with the scientific name located Label: T.L. 430MM / W.S. 540MM / WT. 200GMS / SEX [female symbol] Mount: Polytelis / Anthopeplus / Regent Parrot taxidermy mount, regent parrot, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, bird, parrot

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The male Turquoise Parrot is bright green above, with a turquoise blue crown and face. A brilliant two-tone blue band around the bend of the wing contrasts with a dark, brick-red shoulder patch. Its underparts and tail edges are a rich yellow. The female is similar, but not as bright, with a whitish facial mask, no red on the wing, and a pale wing stripe. Old birds of both sexes may have orange underparts. Once common throughout many parts of eastern Australia, the Turquoise Parrot was formerly recorded from near Mackay in Queensland south to Melbourne until the 1880s, when its population suddenly crashed. It was even considered to be extinct by 1915, but populations recovered spectacularly over the next 20 years or so, and by the 1930s they were again recorded through much of their former range. Now the species can once more be seen in many parts of eastern and south-eastern Australia, though not quite as extensively as before. These birds are vulnerable in NSWThis specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This Turquoise Parrot is bright green above, with a turquoise blue crown and face. A brilliant two-tone blue band around the bend of the wing contrasts with a dark, brick-red shoulder patch. Its underparts and tail edges are a rich yellow. Old birds of both sexes may have orange underparts. This particular specimen is faded with some missing feathers. It is mounted on a wooden stand with a tag wrapped around its leg.Label: 80a. / Chesnutt-shouldered Grass Parakeet / See Catalogue, page 22.taxidermy, parrot, turquoise parrot, taxidermy bird, australian bird, burke museum, trustees of australia

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The red-and green Australian King-Parrot is seldom seen flying above the tree tops of the dense forests which it inhabits — it prefers to fly below tree level, weaving in and out through the tree trunks instead. When they are disturbed by a person, they usually fly off with a harsh screech, and often do not land until they are lost to view. Their flight is swift and strong, characterised by deep, rhythmic wing-beats and regularly punctuated with rapid twists and turns.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. Male Australian King-Parrots are the only Australian parrots with a completely red head. Females are similar to males except that they have a completely green head and breast. Both sexes have a red belly and a green back, with green wings and a long green tail. King parrots are normally encountered in pairs or family groups. This particular specimen has duller colour and appears more orange with a misshapen head Label: National Museum Victoria / King Parrot / Aprosmietus W5435 / Gris (recht) Mount: APPOSMICTUS / SCAPULARIS / King Parrottaxidermy, parrot, bird, king parrot

Eastern Rosellas are multi-coloured medium-sized Australian parrots with distinctive white cheek patches. The Eastern Rosella is found throughout south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, and eastern Tasmania. Despite their vibrant colours, Rosellas camouflage well into their surroundings when perching or when on the ground. The Eastern Rosella is found in open woodlands, grasslands, farmlands and remnant bushland. These birds are often found in urban habitats such as parks, gardens and golf courses. Early European settlers encountered the Eastern Rosella at Rose Hill, New South Wales, now Parramatta, and so they called it the Rosehill parakeet which became "Rosehiller", and eventually shortened to "rosella". This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This mature Eastern Rosella has a red head and breast, with a light green belly and distinctive white cheeks. The back is yellow-green with black mottling, the yellow-green turning green then to blue across the wings. The tail feathers are blue/black, with a red base on the underside. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Label: 79/ Rose-hill Parakeet / See catalogue, page 22 taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, australian birds, rosella, eastern rosella, rosehill parakeet, rose-hill parakeet

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Crimson Rosella is relatively easy to see as it forages on the ground or among the leaves of eucalypts, with its spectacular combination of deep-crimson, royal-blue and black plumage. However, not all Crimson Rosellas look the same. Along the Murray River, Crimson Rosellas aren’t crimson at all — they are yellow, black and blue, with the yellow feathering replacing the crimson plumage. In southern South Australia they differ again, being roughly intermediate between crimson and yellow, with varying amounts of red and yellow in their plumage. Research featured in the 'State of Australia's Birds 2015' headline and regional reports suggest that the Crimson Rosella may be declining in the East Coast. There are several populations of the Crimson Rosella. Red (crimson) birds occur in northern Queensland, in southern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia and on Kangaroo Island. Orange birds are restricted to the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia, while yellow ones are found along the Murray, Murrumbidgee and neighbouring rivers (where yellow birds meet red birds they hybridise, producing orange offspring). Red birds have been introduced to Norfolk Island and New Zealand.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.There are several colour forms of the Crimson Rosella. The form it is named for has mostly crimson (red) plumage and bright blue cheeks. The feathers of the back and wing coverts are black broadly edged with red. The flight feathers of the wings have broad blue edges and the tail is blue above and pale blue below and on the outer feathers. This particular specimen has lost some feathers in its plumage and its colour is not as bright as that of a live specimen.Label: 77a / Pennant's Parakeet / See catalogue, page 22taxidermy, crimson rosella, bird, australian bird, rosella, crimson

The white-throated Needletail is a migratory bird, breeding in Central Asia and southern Siberia, and wintering south in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. This large swift is often mistaken in flight for a small predatory bird, but its long curved wings and white markings help to identify it. Needle-tailed Swifts get their name from the spined end of their tail, which is not forked as it is in the more common Swifts of the genus Apus. They build their nests in rock crevices in cliffs or hollow trees. These birds do not like to sit on the ground, spending spend most of their time in the air. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This white-throated Needletail is predominantly grey-brown in colour. The throat and under tail of he bird are dusky-white. This specimen has a white spot on the lower rim of each of its wings. The eyes are made from glass and the specimen has been styalised standing on a wooden mount.Label: 3a/ Spine-tailed Swift / See catalogue page 7.stormbird, taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, quail, migratory bird, white-throated needletail, needle-tailed swift, spine-tailed swift, hirundapus caudacutus

The Little Friarbird is a migrational bird, moving between northern Australia and the New South Wales/Victoria border in the spring and autumn times. It is primarily found near in forests and near water: rivers, wetlands. They eat nectar, bugs, fruit and seeds. They form monogamous pairs and nest close to water. They are not a threatened species. The Little Friarbird has a brown head, back, wings and tail. Its chest is light brown. Its legs, beak and face are dark grey. It has bright blue patches on its cheeks under the eyes. This specimen does not accurately match how the Little Friarbird looks because the specimen has lost clumps of feathers on its chest, neck and face. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century This Little Friarbird has blue patches on its cheeks, brown head, back and tail. The front and neck are a light brown. Its back is grey. It has serious pest damage to the back of its neck, which has no feathers. Above its eyes shows early signs of pest damage. The front of the bird has ruffled patches of feathers. It stands on a dark wooden stand. It has an identification tag hanging from its left leg. Label: 61a/ Blue faced Honey Eater / See catalogue page 19 taxidermy mount, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, little friarbird, australian bird

The Golden Whistler is native to coastal areas of Australia, from Queensland around to Southern Western Australia, including Tasmania. It usually lives in dense forested areas. The males have bright yellow plumage, whilst the females have only pale yellow plumage. The males and females work together to build the nest and raise chicks. They eat spiders and insects. The taxidermy specimen is not a good example of a Golden Whistler. Its feathers are very faded and ruffled. There looks to be some damage on the throat of the specimen. The Golden Whistler has usually vibrant colours, whilst this one is almost white. The colour markings on the bird indicate that it is male; the specimen should be a bright yellow. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This male Golden Whistler has a black head and stripe on chest, brown-grey wings and tail and white patches on throat and neck. The belly is a white-yellow, though significantly faded. Its feathers are quite ruffled and there is sign of damage to the throat. The specimen stands on a wooden stand and has an identification tag attached to its leg. Label: 24a / white throated Thickhead / See catalogue, page 11taxidermy mount, taxidermy, golden whistler, beechworth, burke museum, australian bird

The budgie is a very social bird, found in large groups in the wild. They primarily live across mainland Australia. They are often found near water. Budgies are very popular pets globally (called parakeets in other countries). They eat grasses and seeds. They nest in hollowed trees. Budgies in the wild are often right green with a yellow face. This specimen is a good example because it has the common colouring of wild budgies and has not got signs of wear/use. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This male budgie is perched with its wings partially opened and looking to the left. It has a yellow head with black stripes on the back, indicating the specimen was quite aged before it was killed. It has a blue nose, indicating it is male. Its body is light green. Its wings are green-yellow with black lines. Its tail is a blue-green. It has some minor pest damage around its eyes.no markings or identification tags

The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is a large member of the Kingfisher family. It commonly resides in the dense rainforests of lowland New Guinea, Saibai Island, Indonesia, Biak, Maluku/Moluccas Islands, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia and Queensland in Australia. This is unlike other species of Kookaburra which commonly prefer to reside in locations of open country. Another aspect which makes this bird unique to other Kookaburra is its tendency to live in pairs and not in family groups which is typical of other Kookaburras. In the case of the Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, both parents incubate and care for the eggs/chicks. This Kookaburra feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra was originally named the Gaudichaud's Kookaburra after the French botanist Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré. This species of Kookaburra is among the most colorful varieties of the Kookaburra alongside the Spangled Kookaburra. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Rufous-bellied Kookaburra is a large Kingfisher with a black coloured cap on the head, white collar around the neck, blue feathers on the wings and rump and a rufous belly. The female Kookaburra has a brown/rufous coloured tail, as is the case for this particular specimen which identifies it as female. This bird has a large white bill and pale coloured legs. The head is a large square shape and the body is stocky.Label: National Museum Victoria / 159a /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, australian birds, kingfisher, kookaburra, rufous-bellied kookaburra

The Rainbow Bee-Eater is native to Australia, living across the mainland, except in desert areas. Male and female birds are both brightly coloured, the primary difference being the length of their tail streamers. Male Bee-Eaters have longer streamers than the females. They are insectivores and use techniques to remove threats to themselves; eg. they will remove wasp's stingers to avoid the poison. They nest in sand and dig a long tunnel, at the end is a 'chamber' where they lay the eggs. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Rainbow Bee-Eater is a uniquely beautiful species of bird with strikingly bright colouring. The plumage is green, blue, chestnut and yellow. The build of this specimen is small and graceful and the bill is slender and curved. This Bee-Eater has two distinct streamers that extend from the base of the tail. The glass eyes provided to this specimen are dark black in colour; however, in life, this specimen has red eyes which contrast with the black stripe of colour that is located from the base of the bill to the ears. Below the black stripe, is a smaller pale blue colour. The throat is orange-yellow and the breast is green. The tail is black with a blue tinge to the plumage closer to the rear of the torso. The colouring on this particular specimen has faded significantly, but it provides a good example of what this specimen looked like while alive.Label: 5a / Australian Bee-Eater / See catalogue page 7 / taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, rainbow bee-eater

This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. Like many species of quail, the Brown Quail is often difficult to see, as it inhabits rank, overgrown grassy areas, often in damp, low-lying patches beside wetlands. They are difficult to flush from this cover, preferring to squat among the grass or run quickly off through the vegetation rather than fly off. As is the case with many species that inhabit dense habitats, the Brown Quail may be heard more often than it is seen, with its characteristically mournful two-note call whistle often heard at dawn and dusk. The Brown Quail is found across northern and eastern Australia, from the Kimberley region in Western Australia to Victoria and Tasmania, as well as in south-western Australia. It is also found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and has been introduced to New Zealand. The Brown Quail feeds in the early morning or evening, on the ground, mainly on seeds and green shoots, but also on insects. In some area, quails will readily cross roads and may be seen feeding along roadsides.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Brown Quail is a small, plump ground-dwelling bird. It is variable in colour, ranging from red brown to grey brown with fine white streaks and black barring above, and chestnut brown below. The eye is red to yellow, the bill black and the legs and feet orange-yellow. In Tasmania, this species is called the Swamp Quail and tends to be larger and darker than mainland birds, with a pale yellow eye. Female Brown Quails are larger and may be more heavily marked with black and paler below than males. Young birds are like adult females, with less distinct markings and a dark brown eye.Label: 33. / Swamp Quail / See Catalogue, page 30 / Mount: 09/taxidermy, quail, brown quail, taxidermy bird, burke museum taxidermy

The spotted quail thrust is a heavily patterned bird native to Australia. It expresses many calls, including a long, very high-pitched "seeeeeep” and a long sequence of doubled whistles, but the main call in inaudible to humans. Due to their heavy camoflague pattern, they are often very difficult to observe. They are often found on the forest floor. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The spotted quail thrush is characterised by yellow and brown tones with black spots on the flanks. The females (10056) have a yellow ochre-coloured throat patch. This particular quail has lost its tail feathers. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Label: 43a. / Spotted Ground Thrush / See Catalogue, page 15. /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, spotted quail thrust, quail

The diamond firetail bird is native to inland southeastern Australia, inhabiting woodland regions. It is often described as one of the most stunningly coloured birds of the finch family. The nest is built by both partners but only the female does the weaving. Both partners incubate the eggs and care for the young. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The diamond firetail finch it characterised by the top of its body being ash brown, with crown, forehead and neck grey. The under feathers are white with a crimson rump. There is a black band across its neck which continues down the flank to be dotted with white. The bill and eye ring are coral, and the legs and feet are dark grey. The female is similar to the male although sometimes smaller. 10057 comprises of one male and one female. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its legLabel: 41a./ Firetialed Finch / See Catalogue, Page 15. /taxidermy mount, cancel, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, finch, diamond firetail

Eastern bluebirds are well-known song birds that live in eastern North America. They are sexually dimorphic, easily recognised by the male's bright royal blue upper plumage, chest of reddish brown and white abdomen. The females is duller in colour than the male, with greyer upperparts and blue tinges to her wings. These Bluebirds, the European variety, are the most common of the three Bluebird species. When not nesting, these birds fly in small flocks around the countryside. Bluebirds feed on small insects including moths, termites and mosquitoes. They also eat grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars. The Bluebird can spot caterpillars and other insects in tall grass from a distance of over 45 meters. The Bluebird is commonly identified in numerous cultures as being symbolic as a harbinger of happiness. Often in Russian fairytales, the Bluebird is used as a symbol of hope. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.This female bluebird (likely Eastern) has a medium brown head and back, a rufous breast, and a cream belly. The bird has blue-tinged wing and tail feathers. The bill is short and has been stylized with the bill partly open to provide the illusion that the bird is making a call. This specimen stands upon a wooden mount and has an identification tag tied around its leg. The bird's plumage has faded since it was first preserved; females generally have duller colouring than their male counterparts but the colour of this particular specimen is paler than it would have been.Label: 122a. Blue-Bird / Catalogue Page 29. / Metal tag: 107taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, american birds, bluebird

The Mistle Thrush is native to Ireland and Scotland, North Africa and parts of Asia. It is known as a large, aggressive and powerful bird. They have several different calls: the main call, given by both sexes, is a dry chattering 'krrrr', louder when the birds are alarmed or excited. There is also a squeaky 'tuk' contact call. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The Mistle Thrush has a pale grey-brown upperpart and a greyish-white chin. The yellow/buff breast and off-white belly are marked with round black spots. The long tail has white tips on the outer feathers, and the underwing coverts are white. The glass eyes are dark brown and the bill is blackish with a yellow base to the lower mandible. The legs and feet are yellow/brown. There is no plumage differences between the male and the female Mistle Thrush. This particular specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Label: 111a. / Mistle Thrush / Catalogue, Page 28. / Other Label: 57. / Turdus viscivorus /taxidermy mount, cancel, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, bird, mistle thrush

The white-browed babbler is a a very active bird and is often found in noisy social groups. It lays two nests: one to lay its eggs in, and a separate nest to roost in. The Babbler is located in dry sclerophyll woodlands throughout mainland Australia. The diet of this species is varied: including insects, spiders and other invertebrates, small amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. These birds will also eat fruits and seeds. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. The White-browed Babbler is a small bird with dark brown/grey plumage. It has a white throat, a white tipped tail and a long, pointed curved bill. This species have a distinct white brow and dark eye stripe which inspired its name. The specimen stands upon a wooden mount and has an identification tag tied around its leg.Label: 68a. / White-[illegible] Pomatostomus superciliosus /See Catalogue, page 20 /taxidermy mount, cancel, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, bird, white browed babbler

The spotted pardalote is the smallest of all Australian birds. It has a tendency to nest in a long horizontal tunnel, often dug into the soil of creek banks, the embankments of railway cuttings, and quarries. Its call is characterised by a very clear and repetitive double "ding". The spotted pardalote is common in woodlands and eucalypt forest areas in Australia. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. One of Australia's smallest native birds, the male spotted pardalotte is covered with small, distinct white spots. Males have a pale eyebrow, a yellow throat and a red rump. Females are similar but have less-distinct markings. 10060 comprises of one male and one female. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its legLabel: 14a. / Spotted Diamond Bird / See Catalogue, page 9. /taxidermy mount, cancel, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, bird, spotted pardalote

Eastern Meadowlarks live throughout the grasslands and farms in eastern North America. On the ground, their brown-and-black dappled upperparts camouflage the birds among dirt clods and dry grasses. When in flight or perching, they reveal bright-yellow breasts and bellies, and a striking black chevron across the chest. The Eastern Meadowlark has a diet which consists of mainly insects and seeds. These birds forage by walking on the ground and taking insects and seeds from the ground and from low plants. In winter, these birds may choose to forage in flocks. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century. This Eastern Meadowlark has a yellow breast and throat with black plumage in the shape of a 'V' on it's throat. This particular specimen has a long pointed bill which is in the shape of a spear. The crown of the bird is a dark brown and it also has lighter brown/yellow stripes on the brow. The back, wings, and tail are light brown with dark brown mottling. This specimen stands upon a wooden platform and has an identification tag tied around its leg. The legs are long and the specimen has been styalised in an upright position.Label: [illegible] Ant-Eating Thrush / Catalogue, Page 66. /taxidermy mount, taxidermy, animalia, burke museum, beechworth, australian museum, skin, reynell eveleigh johns, bird, american birds, eastern meadowlark, meadowlark

This photograph was captured at an undisclosed location and at an unidentified time but likely dates to approximately 1870. The photographer's details are not recorded and the identities of the men in the image are also not known. This image depicts a group of 10 men in typical miners fashion. Four of them are sat on a large log with one holding a small dog. Six miners stand behind those sitting. All these men are wearing a white button-up shirt and tan coloured work trousers. They wear heavy boots and seven have included a dark vest over their shirt. The man holding the dog has a pipe in his mouth. Two of these men are clean shaven with the remainder sporting a moustache and two with a beard. The ages of these men vary from late 20s to middle age. This group of men are located in a mining location with what appears to be an open cut mine in the background of the image. The ground is muddy and has elements which can help identify it as a mining location based on the condition of the landscape. The bottom of the men's trousers are muddy which provides the assurance that these men were working in this location when their photograph was captured. In the background there is one structure, possibly a dwelling, and bush which identifies the location as Australia. Open cut sluicing is a method used to extract gold and other precious metals from beneath the surface of the earth. This technique involved the use of high-powered hoses which broke down the soil enabling miners to come along and search this soil for gold. After the gold rush of the early 1850s, diggers had to enlist the assistance of heavy machinery and techniques like hydraulic sluicing in order to reach gold because the surface alluvial gold had already been discovered and removed. This heavy machinery was not used until after 1853. 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 the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. Images, like this one, of Australian gold rush history can reveal important information about the social and environmental impact of this period. This image depicts diggers standing in a mining location and therefore, this image has the capacity to reveal or support significant information for researchers studying the fashion and social status of diggers in Australia in approximately 1870. It can also provide information on the landscape of Australia in this period and the impact of mining for gold on both society and the Australian landscape. The Burke Museum is home to a substantial collection of Australian mining photographs which can be used to gain a deeper understanding into life on the gold fields, technology used in mining, the miners themselves and the impact of the gold digging on the environment.Sepia toned rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board.Reverse: 1997.2518mining, goldfields, beechworth, 1870, australia, australian goldfields, diggers, victoria, sluicing, gold mining, miners, diggers victoria

This photograph was taken in approximately 1870 and depicts four male miners standing in mining sluice at the Three Mile Goldfields. These men are wearing typical attire for 1870s gold miners. They wear white shirts, tan coloured pants with water proof shoes and most of the men are wearing an apron to prevent their clothing from becoming too dirty from the mud. Each man is wearing a wide brim hat and hold large wooden tools used for sorting through the sluice. Three of the four men have full beards. The photograph was donated to the Burke Museum by R. Ziegenbein before 2001 but the photographer and the individuals captured in the photo are unknown. The image depicts the landscape of the Three Mile Goldfields during a period when open cut sluicing was undertaken to reach gold. Open cut sluicing is a method used to extract gold and other precious metals from beneath the surface of the earth. This technique involved the use of high-powered hoses which broke down the soil enabling miners to come along and search this soil for gold. After the gold rush of the early 1850s, diggers had to enlist the assistance of heavy machinery and techniques like hydraulic sluicing in order to reach gold because the surface alluvial gold had already been discovered and removed. This heavy machinery was not used until after 1853. The Three Mile Goldfields was a site of rich alluvial gold deposits located about 5 km south of Beechworth in Victoria. Today, the location of this gold deposit is called Baarmutha. It was a popular area for gold mining in the 1850s but became largely abandoned by the following decade. In 1865, a man named John Pund recognized that the area could be potentially rich if a better water supply could be obtained. He secured a 15 year license with three other miners. Within the next five years, these men had constructed 19 km of water race going from Upper Nine Mile Creek to Three Mile Creek. By 1881, these four men had delivered 950,000 gallons to the Three Mile Sluicing area which is depicted in this photograph. Pund was later go into partnership with John Alston Wallace who would become owner of the Star Hotel in Beechworth. The Three Mile sluicing location continued to be operational until 1950. Sluice box workers were a vital part of gold mining regardless of how inefficient they were in the recovery of gold. After using hydraulic sluicing to cut away the earth, miners would use the big wooden boxes depicted in the image to catch the earth which would then be sifted for gold. However, accidents would occur often which would result in the gold washing away and unable to be recovered. It was not a very efficient system because the gold, which was alluvial and thus very fine, would often pass through the sluice box undetected.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 the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. Images, like this one, of Australian gold rush history can reveal important information about the social and environmental impact of this period. This image depicts diggers standing in a mining location and therefore, this image has the capacity to reveal or support significant information for researchers studying the fashion and social status of diggers in Australia in approximately 1870. It can also provide information on the landscape of Australia in this period and the impact of mining for gold on both society and the Australian landscape. The Burke Museum is home to a substantial collection of Australian mining photographs which can be used to gain a deeper understanding into life on the gold fields, technology used in mining, the miners themselves and the impact of the gold digging on the environment.Sepia toned rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper and mounted on board.[illegible] about 1870 / 97 2514.1 / 2594 30three mile goldfields, goldfields, 1870, 1870 gold, australia, australian landscape, miners, gold miners, diggers, gold diggers, beechworth, victoria, sluice box workers, sluicing, sluice, mining

This photograph was taken in 1911 at Three Mile Creek, about five kilometers south of Beechworth town. Significant digging took place at this location from late 1855, which led to a flood of workers and stores to follow, though daily earnings were slim compared to the nearby Woolshed site. This remained the case even after workers at Three Mile Creek attempted to protest around Beechworth during an election in November 1855. Three Mile Creek was one of seven significant divisions of the Beechworth Mining District formalised by the Governor-in-Council in 1858, though by the time this photograph was taken, the boundaries of the original seven districts had shifted to create seventeen divisions. The Three Mile Goldfields was a site of rich alluvial gold deposits located about 5km south of Beechworth in Victoria. Today, the location of this gold deposit is called Baarmutha. It was a popular area for gold mining in the 1850s but became largely abandoned by the following decade. In 1865, a man named John Pund (a man second from the left in the back row of this photograph shares this surname) recognized that the area could be potentially rich if a better water supply could be obtained. He secured a 15 year license with three other miners. Within the next five years, these men had constructed 19 km of water race going from Upper Nine Mile Creek to Three Mile Creek. By 1881, these four men had delivered 950,000 gallons to the Three Mile Sluicing area which is depicted in this photograph. Pund would later go into partnership with John Alston Wallace who would become owner of the Star Hotel in Beechworth. The Three Mile sluicing location continued to be operational until 1950. The eleven miners in this photograph are: Back row: Led Guthrie, P. Pund, F. Beel, [Unknown] Miller Front row: Paddy McNamara, J. King, W. Beel, [Unknown] Garland, J. Clarke, J. Ryan, H. Bartsh In the background of the photograph is a huge dirt wall that appears to suffer damage caused by hydraulic sluicing. Hydraulic sluicing is a specialised mining technique that involves directing high pressure water flows at dirt to uncover gold. The technique played a significant role in shaping Beechworth's landscape during the gold rush to create the topography seen today.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 the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. Images, like this one, of Australian gold rush history can reveal important information about the social and environmental impact of this period. This image depicts diggers standing in a mining location and therefore, this image has the capacity to reveal or support significant information for researchers studying the fashion and social status of diggers in Australia in approximately 1911. It can also provide information on the landscape of Australia in this period and the impact of mining for gold on both society and the Australian landscape. The Burke Museum is home to a substantial collection of Australian mining photographs which can be used to gain a deeper understanding into life on the gold fields, technology used in mining, the miners themselves and the impact of the gold digging on the environment.Black and white / sepia rectangular reproduced photograph printed on glossy photographic paper mounted on board.beechworth, beechworth museum, mining, mining team, three mile creek, sluicing, hydraulic sluicing, photography, gold sluicing, gold mining, pund mining

The photograph appears to depict the of the entrance to the Rocky Mountain Tunnel. The Rocky Mountain Tunnel runs from opening of the tunnel, underneath the Beechworth town, to the Gorge. This tunnel drained the excess water from the upper Spring Creek Goldfield to allow for mining access in the area. The Rocky Mountain Co. blasted through the granite rock to create the original 400ft-long tunnel in 1859, but between 1867 and 1871, the Rocky Mountain Gold Sluicing Co. widened and extended it. At its completion, it measured 14ft deep, 6ft wide, and almost half a mile long. The mining surveyor at Beechworth called it 'without doubt, the greatest undertaking of the kind in the colony'. When the company became the Rocky Mountain Extended Gold Sluicing Co. in the mid-1870s, they continued the tunnelling work. The work was reportedly vital to mining being able to continue at Beechworth and may have established world records in tunnelling through hard rock. The entrance at the Gorge side of the tunnel can be seen from the Beechworth Gorge Walk. The tunnel continues to be an outfall drain for the lake and the town.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 the late 1800s and early 1900s. It also shows a location where sluicing was undertook which provides insight into the impact of sluicing on the environment at a time when it was done. The Burke Museum is home to a substantial collection of Australian mining photographs which can be used to gain a deeper understanding into life on the gold fields, technology used in mining, the miners themselves and the impact of the gold digging on the environment.A black and white rectangular reproduced photograph printed on matte photographic paper.7814beechworth, beechworth museum, burke museum, australian museum, mining, rocky mountain mining co., rocky mountain mining company, mine, mining company, rocky mountain mine, mine entrance, rocky mountain, gold, gold mining

This photograph shows a piece of gold mining equipment identified as a mine winch, possibly an air winch cylinder of 1870s RG Ford's Patent design. Throughout the history of mining for gold and other precious materials, the windlass or winch (pictured) was used to bring up buckets full of soil from the bottom of a mine. This soil was then searched for gold/metals before being relocated to a different area. Due to the size and complexity of this particular piece of equipment, this winch may have been used to raise and lower mine carts to the entrance of the mine (often used in coal mining) and could have been used in raising cages up and down (acting as elevators) containing miners if the mine was particularly deep. The actual use of this particular item in the Beechworth locality is undocumented but these are some possibilities based on the use of these pieces of equipment in other mining locations. Mining can have a largely detrimental impact to the environment and therefore, the study of machinery like the one depicted in this photograph can help researches to reconstruct the methods and technologies used in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This particular item appears to have been removed from it's original site where it would have been used to assist with mining. It is possible that this photograph has been taken for recording purposes or as part of a machinery exhibition. Prior documentation records that this piece of equipment had connections to the Rocky Mountains Mining Company. Today, the Rocky Mountains Gold Mining company is famous in Beechworth for having been instrumental in the creation of the Rocky Mountain tunnel. Construction for this tunnel began in 1859 when a group of 12 men blasted a 400ft long tailrace though the rock beneath the town of Beechworth. Today, the 800ft tunnel, completed in 1871, is a popular tourist attraction but during the decades of gold mining, the purpose of this tunnel was to divert water away from the main sluicing operations so miners could better access gold and precious materials. The tunnel was used for this purpose for many years, later becoming useful for the Zwar Brother's tannery and currently as an outfall drain for Lake Sambell. This area continued to be mined until the early 1900s. The period when this item was in use is unclear but it is estimated to have been in the 1870s based on the design and appearance of the image. The gold works at the Rocky Mountain Tunnel closed in the early 1920s but the impact of mining remains in Beechworth today and therefore the study of photographs like this one which contain mining equipment can further understanding of mining in this region.This photograph has historic and research potential for study on the gold mining of the Beechworth region and types of equipment used to locate gold after the initial gold rush of 1853-1854 which resulted in the discovery of the surface gold and required miners to dig deeper to access precious metals. The clarity of the photo, and its good preserved condition, means it can continue to be used for research. This photo is part of a collection of six photos all within the Burke Museum Collection which depict mining equipment.Square black and white photograph on card.7793.1beechworth, mining, goldmining, goldmining equipment, beechworth burke museum

Taken in the early 2000s, this photograph depicts two men and two women, all holding wine glasses. Everyone is casually dressed and seem to be attending a dinner party at the Burke Museum. The group of four have been identified as A. Robbins, J. Indian, S. Routledge and A. Box.This photograph is significant because of its insight into the social aspect of life at the Burke Memorial Museum during the 2000s. The photograph is part of a large collection of photos from this time period and shows fashion trends, social events and interior design trends of the time. The photograph in an interpretive capacity could also assist in further research into the life and development of the Burke Museum, providing a different perspective on early 2000s social events and their development into the social events of today.Coloured rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper.Obverse: No Exit / Reverse: AGFA Watermark / 6511burke museum, beechworth, 2000s, dinner party, function, recreation, fashion, party, 2000s clothing, community