Its twisted old trunk is gnarled, its disembowelled carcass plump with cement and now, like many outback legends, its cadaverously pale and very dead. It has stood, an unmolested leafy sentinel, over Barcaldine’s Railway Station depot since the 1880s. It was a living Australian Labor Party memorial and heritage-listed. The double centurion, Oak Street’s most senior resident, was respectfully nursed into its dotage by Barcaldine’s faithful. Countless thousands of travellers photographed it, patted it and peered up at its bushy green tops with dutiful reverence. ... And then, by an act of craven foul play, it was murdered. Allegedly. Cold, hard forensic science pronounced death by poisoning. Sometime around May Day 2007 they reckon. (Australian Travellor, November 25, 2007.)Photograph of Philip and Elizabeth under the Barcaldine Tree. It was in the shade of this tree the Australian workers rallied and the Australian Labor Party was formed after the ramifications of the great shearers strike in 1891.barcaldine tree, australian labor party, chatham-holmes family collection

The Jackie Howe Statue honours his achievement in hand shearing 321 sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes at `Alice Downs ` station near Blackall. Jackie Howe was born at Canning Downs station, on the Darling Downs, in 1861. He is known as the greatest shearer who ever lived. In 1892, an Australia wide competition was held to see who was the greatest shearer in the land. Two gold medals were offered as prizes and Jackie was determined to claim both. On 10th October 1892, at Alice Downs station outside Blackall, Jackie set the record for hand shearing 321 sheep in just seven hours and forty minutes. Later he went on to set the machine shearing record of 237 sheep. (http://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/industry/display/90567-jackie-howe-/photo/2)Colour Photograph of Philip and Elizabeth Chatham with the Jackie How Statue.jackie howe, shearing, sheep, chatham-holmes family collection

Various cards, letters and telegrams received by Mary Elizabeth Holmes on the occasion of her engagement to Philip Chatham in 1956.mary elizabeth holmes, philip chatham, engagement, cards, telegrams, letters, 1956, ascot, launchley

Tour to outback regions of Australia - Innamincka and Cameron Corner. This is where the Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia borders meet. Photos show the floods, dryness of the land and the regeneration of plant life. Elizabeth Chatham is with family memberschatham-holmes collection, elizabeth chatham, outback, cameron corner, innamincka, queensland, new south wales, south australia, floods, desert plants

Three images of Edith Holmes (Pickford) .1 Edith .2 Early photo of Edith .3 Elizabeth Holmes with her mother Edith Holmes (Pickford) in the Ballarat Gardens.chatham-holmes collection, edith holmes (nee pickford), elizabeth holmes (later chatham), ballarat gardens

Philip and Elizabeth Chatham celebrating with friends. left to Right: Colin Cameron, Mrs Cameron (in purple), Philip Chatham, Maureen Toohey, Elizabeth Chathamchatham-holmes collection, philip chatham, elizabeth chatham, colin cameron, mrs cameron, maureen toohey

Philip and Elizabeth Chatham with friends at a country race meeting.chatham-holmes collection, philip chaytham, elizabeth chatham, country races

Photograph of members of the Holmes family in the garden at Launchley. Left to Right: David Holmes, Edith Holmes (Pickford), Bill Holmes Front: Jack holmes, Elizabeth Holmeschatham-holmes collection, launchley, david holmes, edith holmes (nee pickford), bill holmes, jack holmes, elizabeth holmes

Elizabeth Chatham became the first female to be elected as the President of the Ballarat Golf Clubchatham-holmes collection, elizabeth chatham, president, golf club, ballarat

Bill and Edith Holmes with their daughter Elizabeth. Mount Elephant, a dormant volcano is in the background. It is near Derrinallum where the family had a property, "Launchley Park"chatham-holmes collection, bill holmes, edith holmes, elizabeth holmes, derrinallum, mount elephant, volcano, launchley park

Plates would have been used to print a set of cards - two different sizes. The smaller card - calling or visiting card - would have been left when person was not home. The larger calling card provided space to write a note if required..1 Copper plate with name etched in for printing, large .2 White card "Launchley" with address and phone number .3 Copper plate with name etched in for printing, smallMrs Elizabeth L Holmes Dobbs & Co on plateschatham-holmes collection, copper plates, visiting card, calling card, elizabeth l holmes

Philip Chatham, Jack Cramer, Dorothy Shinnick, Mary Coglan and others shown at home and races.Photos include Jack Crameri, Pip and Mary Coghlan, Pat Hynes, Dorothy Shinnick and Elizabeth and Phillip Chatham.chatham-holmes collection, philip chatham, dorothy shinnick, mary coglan, jack cramer

Twenty-four photographs taken while on riverboat trip along the Murray. views of places and people who were on the trip with Elizabeth and Philip ChathamA number of photographs of a houseboat, and people relaxing along the Murray River.chatham-holmes collection, philip chatham, elizabeth chatham, murray river, victoria, south australia, riverboat

Eight black and white photographs showing the new built house at "Launchley" for Harry Holmes and the garden preparation and layout.A number of photos of the Holmes family at "Launchley", Ascot, Victoria. .1) Elizabeth Holmes, Harry Holmes and wife Edith in front of house at "Launchley". Ascot.chatham-holmes collection, harry holmes, launchley, gardens, edith holmes, elizabeth holmes

The Australian Music Examinations Board awarded Mary Elizabeth Holmes the distinction of Associate in Music Pianoforte in 1949. This was at the Public Examinations.Certificate with seal mounted onto boardName hand written Signature of Chairman: Brian D Henry Signature of Registrar, University of Melbourne: F H Johnstonchatham-holmes collection, mary elizabeth holmes, 1949, australian music examinations board, university of melbourne, brian henry, chairman, f h johnston, registrar, associate in music pianoforte

The Australian Music Examinations Board awarded Mary Elizabeth Holmes Honours in Theory of Music Pianoforte in 1947. This was at the Public Examinations.Certificate with sealName hand written Signature of Chairman: Brian D Henry Signature of Registrar, University of Melbourne: F H Johnstonchatham-holmes collection, mary elizabeth holmes, australian music examinations board, university of melbourne, brian henry, chairman, f h johnston, registrar, 1947, honours in theory of music

The Australian Music Examinations Board awarded Mary Elizabeth Holmes Honours in Pianoforte Grade 2 in 1947. This was at the Public Examinations.Certificate with seal , Mary Elizabeth Holmes, 1947.Name hand written Signature of Chairman: Brian D Henry Signature of Registrar, University of Melbourne: F H Johnstonchatham-holmes collection, mary elizabeth holmes, australian music examinations board, university of melbourne, brian henry, chairman, f h johnston, registrar, 1947, honours in pianoforte grade 2

Written reports that coincide with the music examinations sat by Mary Elizabeth Holmes. They correspond with the certificates she was awarded in 1947 and 1949.Hand written on paper. Two on proformasDate stamp on one Initials of examiners on onechatham-holmes collection, mary elizabeth holmes, pianoforte examinations, reports, 1947, 1949, australian music examination board, music

Photograph mounted on beige card showing the wedding of Henry John (Jack) Holmes from Ascot and Shirley Lorraine Dean of Lismore, Victoria. Front L - R: Seated Margaret Dean, Elizabeth Chatham. Back row L - R: Bill Holmes, Noreen Dean, Jack Holmes, Shirley Holmes, Bill Dean, David HolmesSigned by photographers at bottom right.chatham-holmes collection, holmes, david holmes, mary elizabeth holmes, wedding party, c1930s, ascot, shirley lorraine dean, bill holmes, noreen dean, jack holmes, shirley holmes, bill dean

Photograph of William (Bill) Holmes brother of Jack, David and Elizabeth Holmes originally from Ascot and wife of Margaret nee Coghlan.Black and white photograph of male in glasses. Tie pin possibly a badge.holmes family, chatham-holmes family collection, bill holmes, william holmes

Thirteen letters Elizabeth Holmes received on the death of her father from the Nuns at Loreto Abbey in Ballarat. Elizabeth had gone to school at Loreto and it was customary for students to keep contact with the Nuns once they had graduated.13 hand written lettersSome letter have letterhead "Loreto Abbey, Mary's Mount Ballarat".elizabeth holmes, loreto abbey, mary's mount, ballarat, 1954, death of father, chatham-holmes collection

Journal kept by Elizabeth Chatham while travelling overseas in 1985. Trip was to the United States of America and Canada.Brown Diary.journal, elizabeth chatham, 1985, canada, united states of america, chatham-holmes collection

.1] Elizabeth Chatham was a past student at Loreto School and was president of the Past Pupils' Association. A gift of $2000 was presented to Loreto Abbey and to Loreto Convent. .2] In 1993, Elizabeth Chatham was elected to the general committee of the Ballarat Golf Club at its 98th AGM - first female to do so. The Golf Club was formed in 1895.Articles cut out from Ballarat Courier.elizabeth chatham, loreto, past pupils' association, loreto abbey, loreto convent, ballarat golf club, agm, general committee

A number of young women are dressed to perform in a play. Elizabeth Chatham would be in the photo. The Pied Piper was performed by students at Loreto Abbey, Mary's Mount, Ballaratchatham-holmes collection, loreto ballarat, elizabeth holmes, pied piper, theatre

Cards, letters and telegrams received on the occasion of the marriage of Mary Elizabeth Holmes to Philip Chatham.mary elizabeth holmes, philip chatham, marriage, cards, letters, telegrams, wedding invitation, chatham-holmes collection

Cards and notes received for different occasions - Get Well, Easter, Mothers' Day, Sympathymary elizabeth chatham, sympathy, get well, easter, chatham-holmes collection

Small gift cards for various occasionsmary elizabeth chatham, cards, wedding, baby, shower tea, kitchen tea

Henry John (Jack) Holmes of Ascot was the eldest son of Henry Smerdon and Edith (nee Pickford) Holmes and brother to William Smerdon [Bill], David Coghill and Elizabeth (m Chatham) On his return from serving in WW2, Jack with his father's help took up a Soldier Settler option and settled at Derrinallum on a portion of Mout Elephant. The holding was named "Launchley Park". Soldiers, like Jack with their families, helped swell the numbers in the district and aided the growth in the town and the services it could provide.Three photographs. .1) Black and white photograph of Henry John (Jack) Holmes from Ascot and then Derinallum .2) and .3) Jack Holmes. jack holmes, chatham-holmes collection, henry smerdon holmes, derrinallum, western desert ww2, soldier settlement, mount elephant

Sophie Thomas worked as the family helper for Elizabeth Chatham and her mother at "Launchley". Small black and white photograph in oval frame with standsophie thomas, mary elizabeth chatham, family helper, launchley

Packet of coloured photographs taken in South Australiachatham, philip chatham, elizabeth chatham, south australia, chatham-holmes collection