GFS Australia began as a local branch of the Girls' Friendly Society founded in England in 1875 by Mary Townsend. This was an Anglican Church group which formed to give maids and female domestic staff spiritual guidance and social activities for their days off. The Society later also functioned in part as an employment agency. The first local Australian branch was formed in Adelaide in 1879, with branches being established in all states by 1901. Vera Constance Sophie Saunders (1897 -1967) was the daughter of Arthur Scott Saunders and Agnes Louise Stuart Morris. Her father was a storekeeper in Orbost.The Girls' Friendly Society was an early youth group and was associated with the Anglican Church and were a common way to attract children and teenagers to the congregation. The group is an example of the social importance of the churches in rural communities in the early 20th century.A folded card which is a senior candidate's card for membership of the Girls' Friendly Society. The card is white with blue print. On the front is the name of the member with details of the diocese and parish as well as the date of enrolment. At the top is the emblem of the Girls' Friendly Society.Vera Saunders written in cursive with red pen Orbost April 4 1912 St Jamessaunders-vera girls'-friendly-society anglican-church-orbost

This item was used at The Men's Club Orbost in Livingstone Street, Orbost.This item is representative of the leisure activities of people during the nineteenth century and early 20th century. The Orbost Men's Club no longer exists. It is also significant as being associated with the history of Australia's leading manufacturer of billiard tables, Alcock of Melbourne who were established in 1854 and are still in business today.Billiard table iron; a heavy iron of cast metal. This has a large, rectangular face with attached, cast metal handle. This was used for pressing the cloth of a billiards table. Engraved/embossed on handle is ALCOCK THOMSON & TAYLOR PTY LTDrecreation billiards billiards-table-iron men's-club-orbost

Lancelot Herbert came to Orbost in 1886, taking up a partnership with local store-owner George Temple. After Mr Temple’s death in 1891, Lancelot took over the store and progressively developed Herberts Snowy River Stores which grew into a department store of several shops along Nicholson St. He also had small shops at Cann River, Noorinbee and Genoa which were run by members of his family, as well as a carrying business and fuel outlets. Lancelot died on 2/6/1911 and his wife Martha [died 1945] are buried in a joint grave in Orbost Cemetery. (info. Noreen and Lindsay Thomson) Robert Pullar Cameron was a Shire Councillor for many years. He married Penuel Hossack and had a family of James, Flora, Penuel and Alex.This item is associated with a well-known Orbost business which started in 1888 and finally closed in c.1970. it is an example of book-keeping in the early 20th century and is a useful research tool.A white paper account with black print and red lines. Hand-written from Lancelot Herbert of Snowy River Stores to R.P. Cameron.herbert-lancelot snowy-river-stores cameron-robert-pullar

This certificate was issued on January 30, 1903 to Captain Alan Richardson by the Marine Board of Victoria entitling her to carry 25 passengers and only 10 passengers when engaged in towage service. Two children under 12 years of age to be reckoned as one passenger. The penalty of 20 pounds would be levied if these limits were exceeded. the certificate was valid until 21st July 1903. The original Paddle Steamer Curlip was built by Sam Richardson and his sons Mark, Albert and Frank, at their sawmill at Tabbara, a pioneering settlement on the Brodribb River, a tributary of the Snowy River. Curlip's keel was laid on 14th October 1889 and PS Curlip was launched in 1890. The Paddle Steamer Curlip was designed to travel up and down the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers with essential supplies from coastal ketches and schooners, that plied their trade up and down the coast between Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania. The Curlip regularly towed one or two barges and up to five barges loaded with local farming produce and timber for the thriving cities, that was loaded offshore or in the Snowy River estuary, tide and depth permitting, on to the trading vessels.This item is associated with the P.S. Curlip and the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers.A paper passenger certificate for a river steam ship.Details are handwritten in black and red ink.curlip-p.s. certificate-passenger richardson

This Elector's Right Certificate, No. 206179, is for Samuel Richardson, a sawyer, who lived at Bullarook in the Ballarat East Division. It has been signed by W. Cantwell, the registrar and by Samuel Richardson. As a resident and a male he was entitled to vote in the Ballarat East Division at Victorian State elections. Samuel Richardson was a sawmiller and farmer in Orbost. He built The Curlip, a wooden paddle-steamer of 9 tons gross and dimensions of 43 feet long, 10 feet wide and a depth of 3 feet, on the slipway at their Tabarra sawmill in 1890. This item is associated with the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers,A white paper certificate with black print and hand-written details. at the top is the British coat-of-arms. It is an elector's right certificate made out to Samuel richardson.suffrage richardson-samuel elector's-right-certificate

This message concerned the P.S. Curlip's entry to the Snowy River Lakes Entrance. It was logged at 2:45 and received at 2:47.This item is associated with the P.S. Curlip and the Richardson family, early Orbost pioneers.A white paper telegram with blue print and details hand-written in black ink. It has been sent fro Orbost to "Allen Richardson Marlo". The handwritten message is difficult to decipher."You may enter - engine driver Curlip within two miles outside Entrance Snowy River."telegram-richardson-curlip communications-19th-century

Harry Ingram delivered milk, bread, groceries and meat to towns between Delegate and Orbost with his eldest son. The pair generally drove a four wheeled wagon pulled by five horses along a hand carved winding track through the mountains. This is a pictorial record of transport in the early 20th century in Orbost. It is associated with the Ingram family settlers in Orbost from 1938.A black / white photograph of a man on a horse drawn cart.on back - "Harry Ingram"ingram-harry transport-c19th

This photograph shows the Richardson family having a picnic on the verandah of Captain McNeil' house at Marlo - April 1897. Snowy River Shipping Company formed in 1880. They were soon shipping produce (mainly vegetables) from the area to Melbourne. The Snowy River Shipping Company was formed by Mr Henry James during the 1880s, with Captain McNeil as master. Captain Hegarty was the shipping agent at Marlo. Towing a line of small barges these paddle steamers plied their trade between the port of Marlo, and the farms along the river banks, churning their way almost twenty miles upstream to a landing beside what is now Frank Richardson’s property. On these trips, the barges carried mail and supplies to the townspeople and farmers, loading their produce, mostly maize, on the return trip to the coast. The coming of the railway in 1915 spelt the end for the little river boats. ( ref. F. W. RODWELL in the “Snowy Review”) Frank Richardson 1877-1950 was a sawmiller at Tabbara and helped build and run paddle steamer "Curlip"as engineer. Captain McNeil was an always cheerful Marlo identity and local children had many times sailing with him on the river. Captain McNeil with tug went out through the entrance and brought in the schooners.This item is associated with the Richardson family, early settlers of the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of a group of people having afternoon tea on the end of a verandah of a wooden house. All are seated.on back - " The Richardson family picnic at Marlo"richardson-family-orbost-marlo mcneil-captain

This photograph shows George Temple's store which began operating C1888 opposite the post office in the main street of Orbost. The store stocked other stores at Bendoc supplying the gold fields. The men with their pack horses are on their way to the survey camp. George Temple, born in Yorkshire on 26/2/1832 was one of the earliest Orbost storekeepers. Temple's Store was on the corner of Ruskin and Nicholson Streets opposite the post office. He packed stores to the Bendoc area goldfields. The store building eventually became part of Herbert's store when he died in 1917.This item is associated with the very early history of Orbost. George and Mary Temple were early shopkeepers who operated a store opposite the Post Office for many years. Their daughters were very talented women.A faded black / white photograph of men with pack horses standing outside George Temple's store, The Orbost Equitable, in the main street. It is on a cream coloured buff card.temple-george-orbost gold-fields-bendoc

This photograph shows three generations of the Russell family in Orbost. On the left is John Russell with his son Bill Russell and his wife Ede and their son Ian. John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). Bill was born at Orbost in 1893, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Maud (nee Clarke). Upon his father’s retirement he took over the homestead part of the holding, 1,000 acres of river flats and hill land. He was involved in dairying and was also a successful beef cattle breeder and maize grower. He was elected to the Orbost Shire Council in 1929 and shortly afterwards was President for 18 months (from May 1930 to August 1931). He served a further term as President in 1934-35. He represented the South riding. He was chairman of the Bean Board and a well-known horse and show judge and a member of the Royal Agricultural Society. He was an elocutionist of some note and a member of the committee of management of the Orbost Hospital. He was also a prominent member and Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a Justice of the Peace. He served as president of the Orbost Golf Club and assisted with the preparation and layout of the present Orbost Golf course. This item is associated with the Russell family, early settlers in the Orbost district.A black / white photograph of a family. A lady is in the middle with a man on each side and a young boy in front. They are standing outside a house in the garden.on back - "3 generations, Johnny Russell, Ede & Bill Russell & Ian Russell"russell-family-orbost

This photo shows people at the running of the Orbost Cup in 1890s. The Orbost Race Club was founded in 1890. Many early members were: George Morgan, James Cowell, J. Farquhar, J. Cameron, L. Herbert, S. J. Lynn, Arch. Rodwell, J. Ashby, A. W. McLeod, W. Middleton, W. Archer, J. Pleydell and J. Drew. The races were conducted on a course laid out in a paddock of Mr James Cowell at Jarrahmond. (info. from Newsletter HISTORY OF ORBOST) This item is associated with horse racing in early Orbost.A black / white photograph of a large group of men, women and children at an outing in a bush setting with a large flat area. They appear to be watching an event. Many of the women are holding opened large umbrellas. It is on a grey buff card.horse-racing-orbost orbost-race-club

This photograph was taken at the Farmers Conference held in Port Fairy (possibly June 1916). The local men in the photograph are; Archie Rodwell; Sam Lynn; Percy Nixon; Frank Nixon; John Russell; Jacob Perry; John Johnston; Keith Lynn and John Gilbert.This item is associated with agriculture which has always been a significant part of Orbost's history. The men in the photograph are prominent early settlers of the Orbost district.A large black / white photograph on a grey buff card. The photograph shows nine men, dressed in suits and overcoats standing outside a stone / brick building.on front - " Farmers Conference at Port Fairy" with a list of namesagriculture-orbost farmers-conference-port fairy

There is no information with this photograph. It could be associated with the construction of the East Gippsland Railway.This is a pictorial record of construction work in the early 20th century. It shows the use of hand tools and horse and cart transport.A black / white photograph on a black buff card. It shows men working with picks and shovels to construct a pass. There is a horse and cart in the foreground.road-construction railway-construction civil-engineering

Mr John Watt set up farming in 1879. He was a native of Port Fairy. He was educated in Scotland and came back to Victoria and selected 320 acres on the Snowy River.The property extended from Majors Creek Road to around about Gilbert's Gulch.This is associated with John Watt, a prominent early settler in Orbost.A black / white photograph of a dilapidated farm shed with three horses in the foreground. A house can be seen in the background (left) behind a fence. on back - "Watts Farm"watt-john-orbost farming-buildings

There is no information with this item. It may be associated with the Guthrie family of Bendoc. ( Peter Guthrie’s Grandfather was John Charles Guthrie, (born 1880), and the photo is of his brother Charles Henry Guthrie (born 1884 at Bendoc - from Patricia and Peter Guthrie who farm sheep and cattle at Bendoc).This photograph is associated with the Guthrie family , early settlers in Bendoc.A black / white photograph on a thick cream coloured buff card. It is of two me, both seated with one of the men resting an arm along the back of the other man's chair. It appears to be a studio portrait.on front - "Charlie Guthrie" on back - "Charlie Guthrie"guthrie-charles

This is a photograph of Councillor Alex Rodwell who represented Central Riding in the Orbost Shire Council. from 1905 - 1926 and from 1932 - 1937. He was president 1909-1910 and 1920-1921. A. E. Rodwell was a wholesale and retail butcher in Nicholson Street (the main street), Orbost in the early 20th century.He was involved as president of the Orbost Agricultural society.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a man in a suit. there is also a framed copy.rodwell-a,e, orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor Duncan Cameron who represented East Riding on the Orbost Shire Council from 1911 - 1933. Duncan Cameron was an early settler and licensee of the Marlo Hotel. The Marlo Hotel was the coach stop and the centre for receiving and despatching the mail. The licensee, Duncan Cameron became postmaster when he took over the hotel licence in 1895. Duncan Street in Marlo is named for Duncan Cameron.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit.on back - "Cr Duncan Cameron, East Riding 1911-1933"cameron-duncan marlo-hotel orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor Donald Munro who represented Central Riding on the Orbost Shire Council. Donald Munro, with his brother, Archie carried on a boot-making business in one of the rooms of a three-storeyed barn at Lochiel. The Munros were musically inclined and through them a band was formed in 1889. Donald Munro was involved in many of the town's activities. (More in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District).This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. It is also associated with the Munro family who were early Orbost settlers.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - "Cr D. Munro, Central Riding 1897 - 1929"munro-donald

This is a photograph of Councillor Jacob Perry who represented Central Riding in the Orboast Shire Council from 1928 - 1931. and from 1934 - 1944. He was president twice in 1934-1935 and 1943-1944 Jacob Perry was an Orbost farmer. Born 1874. Died 1950. He was a Boer War veteran , 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen. He was a shire councillor and worker for school affairs.This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. It is also associated with the Perry family early Orbost settlers.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit.on back - "Cr Jacob Perry J.P."perry-jacob orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor Charles Henry Grove who represented South Riding on the Orbost Shire Council. from 1893 - 1901. He was president in 1893-1894, 1895-1896 and 1900-1901. He also served on the Tambo Shire prior to the formation of the Croajingolong / Orbost Shire. Charles Henry [Carl] Grove died on 17/4/1938 at Box Hill at the age of 88 and was buried in Orbost. Prior to coming to the Snowy River district, Carl worked as overseer on Buchan Station. In 1880, he selected land at Newmerella after first coming here in 1874 with early selector James A Robertson. He married Annie Robertson in 1876. Carl was a farmer, hop and seed grower and nurseryman. He was an elected Councillor of the newly formed Tambo Shire in 1882, and then in 1892 to the Orbost Shire where he served for many years filling various public roles. In 1911, he shifted to Queensland, but later returned to Victoria and died at Box Hill. (info. Newsletter 113)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. It is associated with Carl Grove, a prominent early Orbost citizen.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a bearded man in a suit. There is also a framed copy.grove-charles-henry grove-carl orbost-shire-council

This is a photograph of Councillor Hamilton Rutherford Reed who represented North Riding 1918 - 1936. Hamilton Reed was an early settler at Goongerah. In 1868 Hamilton Reed and John Locke both of Bendoc secured a grazing area of 60,000 acres at Goongerah. About the year 1878 Hamilton Reed and C. W. Nicholson decided to, if possible, to go from Bendoc to Orbost via Goongerah, they accomplished the task in 4 days from Goongerah. (more info. Newsletter September 2004)This item is associated with the Orbost Shire Council. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit. There is also a framed photograph.on back - "Cr H.R. Reed, North Riding 1918-1936"reed-hamilton-rutherford goongerah-history orbost-shire-council

This portrait is of James Cameron who was the first president of the Croajingolong Shire ( later Orbost Shire). He was also an inaugural member for East Gippsland in the Legislative Assembly from 1902 until 1920. In 1882 Cameron was the first Orbost councillor of the newly constituted Tambo Shire. In the next twenty years he served as justice of the peace, shire councillor, guardian of St James's Anglican Church, Sunday school superintendent, and president of the local agricultural society and railway league Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council.This item is associated with James Cameron, a prominent early Orbost identity. It is also associated with Orbost Shire Council.A black / white head and shoulders portrait photograph of a moustached man in a suit.on back - "James Cameron"cameron-james orbost-shire-council governance-orbost

This photograph is of the construction of the first road bridge over the Genoa River - 1915. Before today's timber truss and concrete bridge was constructed between 1926-1928 by contractor J.T. Noble Anderson, two earlier bridges crossed the Genoa River at this location. They provided crucial links in the Princes Highway route from Melbourne to Sydney. The letter on the back of the postcard was written by Gordon ? to Alex ? on 2nd October 1917. "this represents the opening of Genoa Bridge. Mrs Alexander cutting the ribbon and Mr Martin holding it at the other side. Did most of the speaking. The gent holding the roll of paper is who came to open the bridge. I can't think of his name. Hubert is standing up at the right / Gordon " This is a pictorial record associated with the history of Genoa in East Gippsland.1100 -A large black / white photograph on a cream coloured buff card. It is of an unfinished bridge with men working there. A small rowboat can be seen on the far side of the river. 1100.1 - A photograph / postcard of the opening of "Genoa Bridge 1917". There is a ribbon stretched across the timber decking road in front of a group of people. 1100.2 - A black / white photograph of a road bridge across a river.on back - "Princes Highway - the 1st bridge over the Genoa River - 1915" on back of 1100.1 is a hand-written letter.genoa-bridge princes-highway-east-gippsland

By 1905 there was an Orbost Bicycle Club. E. Donchi was a member and was a successful competitor around 1927. It is likely that the Orbost Cycling Club disbanded during WWI, and evidence from the Snowy River Mail is that it reformed again in 1945. There is no doubt that bikes were a dominant form of personal transport until the 1960s when cars ownership became more common, although children still rode to school. As far as theOrbost Cycling Club was concerned, the golden years were from 1945 to 1950. (information Newsletter August 2018 - Geoff & Lee Stevenson)This item is associated with a popular recreational activity in early Orbost. The period between the First World War and the 1950s was the heyday of cycling. After 1900 the efficient mass production of standardized safe bicycles, as well as the wider availability of second-hand bicycles, caused rapidly dropping prices and it was therefore easier for people to purchase a bicycle not only for utilitarian use but for racing. A small black / white photograph of a young man on a racing bike. It is on an unsealed road in a forest. on back - "E. Donchi, Cyclist, Orbost"donchi cycling-orbost recreation

There are records of members of the Helmers family attending Bendoc State School. George Helmers was a prospector who mined all the gold from the dry gullies that ran into Bendoc. George was born in 1866, in Bombala, New South Wales, Australia. He was married to Euphemia Lock, born on October 19 1870, in Bendoc Upper, Victoria, Australia.This photograph is associated with early settlers of Bendoc, East Gippsland.A large black / white photograph of a man standing in front of a wooden cottage. there is a horse beside him, a woman standing on a verandah in the background and on the left is a clothes line with what seem to be nappies pegged out. There is also a copy of the original. on back - "George Helmers, Errinundra"helmers-george-bendoc

Reverend Alexander Morton was the Presbyterian minister in Orbost between 1894 and 1904. Rev. Alexander Morton earned great respect from the Orbost community, during his ministry here between 1894-1904. He brought with him from the New Hebrides timber which was used for the pulpit. Affectionately known as “Sandy” Morton, he was very friendly and endeavoured to reach all his bush parishioners, often on horseback. He was known up the Gelantipy Valley as an itinerant Preacher with a difference, he often doubled as a dentist, who was quite adept at pulling teeth, often with a pair of pliers. ( information from Margaret Smith Newsletter August 2012)Reverend Alexander Morton was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. He was associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost.A black / white portrait photograph on a dark grey buff card. It is a head and shoulders posed photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - Rev. Alex Morton, Presbyterian Minister at Orbost"morton-alexander presbyterian-church-orbost

This photograph shows the pile drivers at work in the construction of the viaduct across the Snowy River flats. The Snowy River Floodplain Railway Bridges, two sequential and exceptionally long and low timber railway bridges on the Snowy River floodplain just west of Orbost, were built in 1916, and provided the original terminus point for the Bairnsdale-Orbost railway. The bridges are 770 metres and 183 metres long respectively. The shorter bridge is of uniformly 4.57 metre timber-beam construction, and has a sweeping curve in its deck. The longer bridge has a combination of 4.57 metre and 6.1 metrespans, and two 3.66 metre spans. The bridges are constructed from 'Southern Mahogany', Eucalyptus Botryoides, which grew along the coast east of Bairnsdale. The Snowy floodplain bridges were initially built in the context of an early twentieth-century interest in American-style 'Developmental Railways', designed to open remote areas to closer settlement, even if that meant running at a loss. The line was closed in August 1987. (information from Victorian Heritage Database)This item is associated with the history of the Orbost-Bairnsdale railway line and therefore reflects the role that the rail line played in the social and economic history of Orbost.A black / white photograph of the farming flats at Orbost during the construction of the East Gippsland railway.orbost-railway east-gippsland-railway viaduct-orbost transport railway

Hand drawn by Kerr, Hilda (nee Temple). Daughter of George Temple and Mary McAuslane of Castlemaine, Hilda married James Kerr in 1893 and lived at Lincluden, Raymond Street, Orbost. Her husband, Dr James Kerr, was a Scot who had come to Australia as a ship's doctor and practised in NSW before visiting Orbost on a government vaccination programme. He liked Orbost and returned there, its first doctor, until his death in 1928. Hilda was sometimes referred to as 'Mrs Dr Kerr.' She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians. This item is associated with Hilda Kerr (Temple) a prominent resident of early Orbost. She and her sisters Mabel Stewart Temple and Margaret Ferrie Temple were all talented writers and musicians. A selection of 7 pencil illustrations of Marlo in a wooden frame. Hessian background with red/brown wood.illustrations marlo kerr temple

This image shows the approach to Beechworth from the south-west via the Newtown Bridge. Numerous early buildings line the road as it bifurcates to become Ford and High Streets on the ridge above Spring Creek and Newtown Falls. The sloping, rocky terrain and water course along the gorge show evidence of the intense mining activity that occurred at the site. The Ovens Gold Rush at Beechworth started when gold was found at Spring Creek in February 1852, prompting an influx of miners from around the world. The population grew over 20,000 by 1857. While the earliest mining at Beechworth was similar to that in other Victorian goldfields like Ballarat and Bendigo, Beechworth is notable for its use of hydraulic sluicing as a major method of removing wash-dirt. Hydraulic sluicing employs high pressure jets of water to blast away large areas of earth and wash it down to be run through a sluice box. Gold gets caught in the sluice and the remaining slurry is washed away. This method of mining is extremely effective but causes significant environmental impacts and damage to waterways. Large water quantities were required for large-scale sluicing, and the long water races and deep tailraces that were constructed in the Beechworth area in the nineteenth century are nonetheless considered feats of engineering. The site in the photograph is associated with the Rocky Mountain Mining Company who constructed an eight hundred meter tunnel under the township between 1876-1880 to reduce water levels at Spring Creek, which had been subject to diversions since the earliest days of alluvial mining. Over four million ounces of gold (115 tones) were found at Beechworth between 1852 and 1868, and the wealth from the gold rushes built Beechworth and the nationally significant buildings that remain standing today.This image shows the early development of the Beechworth township above Spring Creek, where gold was discovered in 1852. Evidence of hydraulic sluicing, a uniquely predominant method at Beechworth, and water-works engineering are present in the landscape. By the 1870s, alluvial gold deposits were depleted and increasingly complex engineering was required so deeper shafts could reach bedrock. This image is significant for understanding changes to the landscape and the evolution of mining methods and engineering practices related to the extensive construction, manipulation and management of water networks. The shift from smaller scale alluvial mining to larger company dominance in the mining industry has implications for understanding wider social, economic, political and industrial changes in the region of Beechworth and within the context of the Victorian Gold Rush more broadly. A black and white rectangular reproduction photograph printed on photographic paper. burke museum, beechworth museum, beechworth, gold fields, gold rush, victorian gold rush, hydraulic sluicing, rocky mountain mining company, spring creek, netwown falls, mining tunnels, water races, tailraces, colonial australia, australian gold rushes, mining technology, beechworth historic district, indigo gold trail, migration, indigo shire, gold mining, gold mining history

The design of this set of four lightweight chairs is based on Thonet’s bentwood designs, which are still some of the best-selling designs for café and restaurant owners. It is elegant, sophisticated and durable. Some of these chairs still have their original seat, under which the letters “TH” or “RSL” are hand written. Flagstaff Hill has several bentwood chairs with these letters on them, in either chalk, black paint, or both. It is believed that the chairs were used in the original Warrnambool Town Hall, and later the RSL. The Town Hall was completed in 1891, built on the corners of Timor and Liebig Streets. (In 1977 the Town Hall was declared unsafe and was later replaced by the Warrnambool Performing Arts Centre.) Some of the chairs have marks, paper labels and symbols on them that show that the maker was Josef Jaworek, who had a small furniture factory in east Sinensia, which was at that time in Austria, from 1907 - 1914. Bentwood chairs are made by a process of wetting wood in water, bending it into curved shapes, then allowing it to dry so that the shape becomes permanent. This process originated by Michael Thonet, who had been given the right to bend wood into desired curves by the Austrian Courts in 1842. In 1856 he was granted a 13 year patent to manufacture chairs and table legs of bent wood treated by steam or boiling water. In 1859 his company Gebruder Thonet produced his original design. Thonet’s early designs also featured hand carved or laminated wooden seats. His Model No. 14 was produced in the 1850’s and his most popular design. After Michael’s death in 1871 the family went on designing and producing chairs. These bentwood chairs are believed to be associated with the original Warrnambool Town Hall. The Warrnambool Town Hall played a significant role in the both the local government and the social events of local and district areas. It was a place for Council meetings, community events and entertainment, theatrical and musical.Bentwood chair (4 of 4), painted black, inner back is curled loop, seat has leather cover attached with studs, ventilation holes under seat, legs are splayed and have a bracing ring. Marks: under seat, handwritten and stamped into wood.Marked with handwritten "TH", in both black paint & white chalk. Under rim is label printed "65" Stamped into wood on rim under chair "95".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bentwood chair, café chair, restaurant chair, josef jaworek, austrian chairs, furniture