A small flyer sent out locally to members and for wider advertising around Ballarat by the Ballarat Horticultural Society in 1914.This poster demonstrates the belief early in World War I that the war would soon be over. It highlights the lack of significance given to the war at this early stage. It is also a rare survivor of up-beat regional Australian (Ballarat) advertising during the Great War.ballarat, horticultural society, spring show, war, turkey., world war i, the great war, horticulture

1919 Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia: South Street Competition Ballarat Third place certificate awarded to M.J.Taffe for Champion Bugle Solo. Signed by the founder of the Competition W.D.Hill.w d hill, michael taffe, ballarat, cornet solo, south street competitions

First Commercial Flying School in Australia founded by George Carey who went on to establish Melbourne airport at Williamstown near Melbourne. George Carey was grandfather of Peter Carey Australian author whose book "Illywhacker" used some of George Carey's exploits in the air.

All boys aged 12 to 17 began Compulsory Military Training in Australia from 1912. The following year the militia was reformed with Ballarat East being allocated the 70th Infantry and Ballarat West being allocated the 71st Infantry. The 71st Battalion was known as the Ballarat West Battalion until changing to (City of Ballarat) Infantry with its depots reaching as far as Warrnambool. In this photograph of the prize winning 71st Battalion Bugle Band a young 16 year old Michael Taffe is a bugler and won several awards with the band and as a solo bugler. A record of the immediate post-war activities still popular in 1919-1920.Mounted photograph of bugle bandcity of ballarat infantry, 71st battalion, warrnambool, ballarat, michael taffe, ballarat west battalion, cadets., bugle band, awards, bugler

bandsman, field gun, artillery, ballarat

The log book from the ship Isabella Brown on a voyage from Melbourne to Singapore in 1867.The Isabella Brown was a wooden two masted brig launched in Scotland in 1840 for general cargo work. The log covers a voyage with general cargo from Melbourne to Singapore via Newcastle in 1867 plus another voyage carrying live sheep in 1868-69.Entries in pen and ink throughout.log book, isabella brown, melbourne, singapore., newcastle

Beaten Copper vase made by Ballarat craftsman H.H.Floate c. 1927 in the arts and crafts style.On base: H.H. Floate Craftsman Ballarat.

Linoleum was introduced in the late nineteenth century and the examples at Hymettus include this original early twentieth century hall runner. While other examples in the house date to the 1940s his example from much earlier is a rare survivor of its type and vintage. It was a popular product of its time reproducing the look of encaustic tiles as were found in wealthier homes.linoleum, nineteenth century, wealth, hymettus, encaustic tiles.

Edward Heffernan and Geoffrey Mainwaring were Australian artists and art educators who in their very different approaches and passions influenced hundreds of artists and art students throughout their careers. Born only days apart in October 1912 they pursued a lifelong passion for art. Heffernan from Melbourne and Mainwaring from Adelaide gave decades in art education in regional Victoria at Geelong and Ballarat respectively. Heffernan was also influential in working with Melbourne students and encouraging art through the Victorian Artists Society while Mainwaring served to use his art in documenting the role of Australia in the Second World War as an official Australian War Artist. This exhibition catalogue profiles their careers and was the first such retrospective of their lives and work brought together to celebrate their contribution to Australian art and the double centenary of their births.

The music for popular First World War composition "The Boys of the Dardenelles" by Marsh Little and arranged by J.Devlin Deane 1915 and copyrighted Sydney 1915. These cards attach to the lyre holder on the cornet for use in a marching band. This copy belonging to Michael Taffe of Ballarat and used during WWI & WWII.This is the first piece of specifically Australian patriotic music generated as a result of the disastrous campaign at Anzac. Produced in 1915 it was used in this instance by Ballarat Bands within a year of Anzac..Small music card for cornet lyre.nil,brass band, solo cornet, taffe, ballarat, music card, world war i, deane, devlin, dardenelles, quick march

Phar Lap tobacco tin, produced in Melbourne 1931 - 1932 is an early example of the use of the name and image of any Australian notable, in this case a racehorse, the tobacco referred to in the family as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Produced in, Victoria during 1931-1932 Phar Lap tobacco was Phar Lap tobacco tin, It is considered Australia's most desirable tobacco tin due to its rarity. An early example of the use of the name and image of an Australian icon the tobacco was often referred to as "The sweepings from the stable floor" due to its poor quality.Rectangular metal tin with a hinged lid. On the lid is lithographed an image of the horse's head and within a scroll the words PharLap Fine cut tobacco. Significant rusting to tin and wear to lithographic detail tobacco

Hispano Moresque pottery charger made in Spain in the first half of the twentieth century. Such lustre ware was the inspiration for the work of English potter William de Morgan whose work is also represented at Hymettus.Large platter or charger

Photo taken by Mary Burke (Taffe) c. 1930s.poor quality photo but well preserved.Inscribed on verso "Jack Cussens - Sydney Rd Coburg

pair of crocheted dress gloves made by 'Tess' Theresa Taafe (Lazarus) daughter of Mr Patrick Taafe of Redesdale.cotton, crocheted, dress gloves, tess lazarus, patrick taafe, redesdale.

Won by Michael Taffe at the Flinders St station Ballroom in October 1924. Michael Taffe had been the Australian Junior Cornet Solo Champion four years earlier.This certificate is an example of the support the Victorian Railways Institute, and other government and corporate staff organisations gave to their employees in a range of cultural fields from the nineteenth to the late twentieth century. Small certificate with Victorian Railways Institute seal.Details provided in copperplate writing - M. J. Taffe, First Prize 82 Points Instrumental Division Cornet Solo Institute Event , signed by president and secretary and dated Melbourne 18th October 24.victorian railways institute, cornet, taffe, melbourne, central station.

Printed bifold menu of Trans Australian Railways Dining Car Service with signatures of the Ballarat bandsmen travelling to Western Australia to compete in the national band titles 1929 at Perth.Early record of Trans Australian Rail travel and Australian brass band history and activities.bifold card printed menuFront of menu printed Trans Australian Railways Dining Car Service with signatures of the Ballarat bandsmen travelling to Perth for the national band titles in 1929. ballarat, trans continental, railway, menu, bandsmen, national band competitions, perth

In 1920 Michael Taffe was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. The large framed studio portrait of Michael together with his cornet and medals was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 125. This portrait has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has hung in this historic house for the past 102 years. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat

This souvenir bookmark was for an international conference that highlighted the role Australia archives in an international forum held in Brisbane and in Australia for the first time. It is one of a large collection of bookmarks held at Hymettus that records historical events from the mid-nineteenth century to 2020.

City of Ballarat Band official photograph on winning the championship brass band contests at Ballarat.Inscribed in biro on back of card mount, "Michael Taffe 2nd back row 2nd from right."

Australian cedar music canterbury and adjustable music stand circa 1900 maker unknown.

The photograph records the Bacchus Marsh team in 1931 with captain being Michael Taffe from Ballarat. Taffe was Assistant Station Master Bacchus Marsh at the time and the photograph records the importance of such sojourners in the community as well as the actual players.Photograph mounted on board with top caption (missing in image) reading "Bacchus Marsh Football Association Football Club 1931 and names written in on mounting board beneath image. Second footballer from right back row has moved blurring his image.Inscribed in ink to board above image: Bacchus Marsh Football Association Football Club 1931 and below the image the names of the players including captain and vice captain.

music, taffe, cornet

A simple Edwardian mirrored hallstand made of Australian Blackwood a popular feature of Australian cottage hallways in the early 20th century following on from similar furniture of the 19th century.edwardian, hallstand, australian, cottage, hallways, blackwood, mirror.

Chip carving was a popular hobby/pastime from the arts and crafts movement of the 1890s and remained a popular folk art until the 1920s.This is an example of a popular folk art hand-carved chair made in Australia in the early twentieth century.Hand-carved timber chair, by an unknown enthusiast in the Warrnambool area. Made using the 'chip carving' technique, with whorls and star design in relief on the seat. The timber finish has been given an ebonised tone. Chip carvings

From a large set of dispensary jars with stoppers from Ballarat chemist Palmer. Palmer

An inscribed presentation mounted photographic portrait of A. Le Mesurier Australian champion bandsman and trombonist in 1915 to a young Ballarat boy, fourteen year old Michael Taffe who later became Australian champion junior cornet soloist.Script printed on front mounting board Richards & Co Ballarat. Inscribed on back of mounting board, "To my little "mascot" Michael Taffe, Wishing you and yours the "Compliments of the Season". from Yours Sincerely A. Le Mesurier. Xmas, 1915.le mesurier, taffe, ballarat trombone, south street competitions, australian band championships.