A tin trunk used by the Rocky Mountain Extended Sluicing Company (Limited).Mining played an important role in the history of Beechworth, for the township was established in the mid-1850s after gold was discovered in the area. The success of goldmining lead to the growth and development of early Beechworth. The Rocky Mountain Company was a very successful gold mining company and had a big impact on the people and landscape of early Beechworth.A tin trunk painted in black with gold script painted on the front.The Rocky Mountain Extended / Gold Slucing Company. (Limited / BMM 8068

Isabella Park Taylor, nee Dawson (1842-1929), friend of Western Victorian First Nations people, and student of their languages and customs. Isabella grew up at "Kangatong" (1844-1866) in the company of First Nations people and became fluent in their languages. With her father, James Dawson, she wrote the book "Australian Aborigines" (1881). She married William Andrew Taylor in 1877 and they built a fine homestead on their property at "Renny Hill'' near Camperdown, Victoria. Together they had two children, Effie, born 1878 and Katherine in 1880.Studio portrait of Isabella Dawson as a young womancdhs, cdhsfirstnations, djargurd wurrung, djargurdwurrung

These chairs originate from St Andrews Kirk, Ballarat, c1870s. The Rev William Henderson, Presbyterian Minister of Ballarat (1857 - 1886), founded Ballarat College in 1864. The chairs were is use in St Andrews Kirk during his tenure. At this time Ballarat College was situated in the grounds of St Andrews Kirk and remained there until 1912. In 1995 a plaque to this effect was erected in the grounds of St Andrews Kirk, and unveiled by Old Collegian and school Council member, Kenneth D Baird. Matching set of three ornately carved, English Oak, chancel and clergy chairs; minister's chair with arms; elder chairs without arms. Plaques at front of chair seats: Original St Andrews Kirk / Minister's Chairs c1870s / Gift Clark and Margaret Chesterrev william henderson, st andrews kirk

This item was probably acquired for, and used by, participants in telegraphy at the Ballarat School of Mines courses between 1873 and 1893.An electromagnetic relay device on a brass base plate, and mounted onto a wood base. It is covered by a removable wood-framed glass sided cage. The item has four terminal posts and an adjustable conductor mechanism.ballarat school of mines, telegraphy, relay device, telegraph coding

Used in physics/optics laboratory at Mt Helen, most probably transferred from SMB to Mt Helen c1870 as SMB start date but could be much earlier A vertical arrangement of lenses, mirrors and polarisers mounted on a brass stand 50cm high with a heavy metal claw foot base. Circular calibrated 360 degrees platform with small brass clips holding a glass lens in position. Parts appear to be original, though the object appears to be missing a eye piece, a mirror to reflect the light, and a viewing platform.CS - 77optics, lenses, mirrors, smb, rocks, microscope, polarisers, scientific instruments

William Spencer and Samuel Browning's were in partnership from 1778 to 1781. When Ebenezer Rust joined the partnership of Spencer and Browning in 1784, the firm of Spencer, Browning & Rust was created. All of the original partners of Spencer, Browning & Rust had died by 1819. The firm was succeeded by Spencer, Browning & Co. in 1840, following the 1838 death of Ebenezer Rust, Junior, son of the original partner. The successor company was in business until 1870.A monocular telescope in a tapered brass tube, with the middle two thirds coved with dark-brown leather. The eye piece end in telescopic, and is probably an add on. 83 cm long, 6.5 cm diameter at large end, 4.0 cm diameter at eyepiece end. Probably magnification is 1 7/8 inch. 48 mm focal depth of c79cm.telescope, scientific instrument, observatory, ballarat observatory, james oddie, ballarat boys' telescope company, spencer browning and co., astronomy

Probably acquired for use in Telegraphy courses run at the Ballarat SChool of Mines between 1875 and 1893. Telegraph relays amplified electrical signals in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages traveled as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. Short pulses made a dot, slightly longer pulses a dash. The pulses faded in strength as they traveled through the wire, to the point where the incoming signal was too weak to directly operate a receiving sounder or register. A relay detected a weak signal and used a battery to strengthen the signal so that the receiver would operate. This relay was made by the firm of Charles T. and John N. Chester, two brothers who successfully partnered in New York City. Charles (1826-1880) founded the firm and provided the expert telegraphy knowledge while John (1820-1871) kept the books and managed the business operations.(http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_706518, accessed 25/01/2018)Electromagnetic relay device used in telegraphy. The working parts mounted on a brass plate, attached to a wood base. Equipped with four terminal posts. Adjustable contactor mechanism. This electromagnetic Relay Device was used in Telegraphy at the Ballarat School of Mines. After a special meeting of the Ballarat SChool of Mines Council in 1874, a decision was made to offer instruction in Telegraphy, a subject not directly related to mining. Telegraphy was taught by W.P. Bechervaise, postmaster at Ballarat. On 07 October 1874 the Ballarat Courier correspondent reprted on Telegraphic training: "... these classes ... are a snare and a delusion, as there is scarcely the remotest chance of obtaining employment when the examination has been passed."scientific instrument, telegraph relayer, telegraphy relay device, telegraphy

Gold was discovered in Victoria c1850 and people came from all over the world to seek their fortune at Ballarat and Bendigo and surrounding gold fields. This large wooden rocking- box or cradle was used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as the miner put gravel into the top part and finer and heavier particles dropped through a screen, helped along by buckets of water. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. After many shovel loads of gravel were pushed through the rocker, the miner would then use his gold pan to sort out the heavy minerals to find gold. Most of the pioneer settlers in Moorabbin Shire left the area to try their luck at gold mining and there was a desperate shortage of workers to maintain the market gardens and supply food to the ever increasing population of Melbourne.This gold prospector's 'cradle' is hand made and typical of those used by many hopeful Moorabbin Shire pioneers as they abandoned their market gardens to try their luck at finding gold in the Ballarat and Bendigo minefields c1850This gold miner's rocker is very old, and very well-used. It is a large wooden rocking- box or cradle used by gold prospectors. A handle on the rocker is pushed back and forth, as gravel is put in the top part of the box so that finer and heavier particles drop through a screen.. The bottom part of the device had slats, that caught the heavier metals. i.e gold particles. The water passed through the shute at the base back into the creek or river.moorabbin, brighton, market gardens, pioneers, early settlers, fruit, vegetable, ballarat, bendigo, gold mining, gold prospedtors, gold rush, were j. b., irish immigrants, chinese immigrants, gold panning, gold digger

Black and white photograph. Group of males. Taken outside 'Primitive Methodist Church'. Sombre looking group. Primitive Methodist Church', possibly in Eaglehawk. Markings/Inscriptions: sticker, photo 4organization, church, primitive medodist church

Two cream coloured oblong card printed with pink and purple ink. E0079.10.1, E0079.10.2. The cards are blank. non-fictionvictorian wesleyan total abstinence society, wesleyan sabbath school fryerstown

Rev. William Butters (1810-1887) commenced his ministry as a chaplain to the convicts in Van Diemen’s Land in 1833.Print of an engraving by J. Cochran of Rev. William Butters in frame.butters, w, methodist

Rev. John Gordon Mackie (1848–1898) was a Minister at St. George’s Presbyterian Church, St. Kilda for thirteen years.Matte, sepia, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. John Gordon Mackie on card.mackie, john gordon, presbyterian

Rev. Dr. Thomas Bowman Stephenson (1839-1912) founder of the NCH and Wesley Deaconess Institute in 1890, President of Wesleyan Conference in 1891, and was the author of several hymns.Satin, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Dr. Thomas Bowman Stephenson.stephenson tb, wesleyan

Rev. Dr. James Harrison Rigg (1821-1909) was a Methodist minister and educationist and was principal of Westminister Wesleyan Training College.Matte, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Dr. James Harrison Rigg on card.rigg, jm, methodist

This photo was taken on a track outside one of the wards up at the Sunbury Asylum.Faded sepia photo of carriage drawn by 2 horses with 1 male standing near the horse's head and 1 adult male seated with 1 male child in carriage.Written across bottom under photo in blue biro: Superintendents Carriage. ASYLUM. SUNBURY ABOUT 1870dixon, c., transport, horse drawn vehicles, clothing and dress, sunbury asylum, hospital for the insane, mental health, photographers, george evans collection

Cast Seal Press from Stawell Court House Patrick Streetstawell

Cast Seal Press from Stawell Court House Patrick Streetstawell

Black and Gold Decorated Seal Press – For placing on Mining Documents. Stawell Court Housestawell

IT IS ON PERMAMENT LOAN FROM HEPBURN SHIRE, PAINTING BY WILLIAM TIBBITS, CIRCA 1870. HE WAS A WELL KNOWN FIGURE TO BE SEEN RIDING HIS BICYCLE FROM GOLD FIELD TO ANOTHER WHERE HE PAINTED MANY OF HIS FAMOUS PAINTINFS.WATERCOLOUR PAINTING OF NEW NORTH CLUNES MINE. ARTIST WILLIAM TIBBITS - FRAMEDTHE NEW NORTH CLUNES, Q.M.C. CLUNES. DRAWN BY W. TIBBITS 22 NEIL ST. BALLARAT.local history, illustration, watercolour, hepburn shire

Small metal upright machine with small grooved wood rollers. Clamps for attaching to table. Used for Pleating on dress trims and cravate.domestic items, irons

Oil lamp ornate metal base, green glass holder for oil.lighting, kerosene & oil

Very early photograph of Main Street, Rutherglen, probably toward the end of the gold rush. Black and white photograph of Main Street, looking west.main street, rutherglen

This post office was replaced about 1910 with the building that is still being used.Black and white photograph of Rutherglen Post Officepost offices, rutherglen post office

Very early photograph of Main Street, Rutherglen, probably toward the end of the gold rush. The Oriental Bank shown on the right of the photo closed around 1870.Black and white photograph of Main Street looking east.main street, rutherglen, oriental bank

Building is believed to be the Rutherglen Court House before its 1905 renovations.Black and white photograph of an early brick building in Rutherglenrutherglen, buildings, rutherglen court house

Black and white photograph of above-ground structures of a deep lead gold minegold mining, industrial building, deep lead mine

Possibly Lake King shortly after the weir was built, or Lake Moodemere or the Murray River in flood.Black and white photograph of a body of water surrounded by trees.lake king, lake moodemere, murray river

Black and white photograph of Main Street Rutherglen looking east. Features the Cumberland Hotel and Samuel Stones Bakery.

Photograph of a group of seven men and an Aboriginal youth. Thought to be a local cricket clubBlack and white photograph, mounted on cardboard, of seven men, a boy and a dogOn back of photo: "The 'Bunyip' Cricket Club | Wahgunyah [Wahgunyah crossed out] | (I think they were Moodemere)"cricket team, bunyip cricket club

Black and white photograph of "The Hit or Miss Stores"hit or miss stores, shops