Gideon Nicol (1836-1908) was a seaman who came to Warrnambool in 1858. In 1865 he selected land at Mount Warrnambool. He was one of the founders of the Farnham Cheese and Butter Factory and the Garvoc Cheese and Butter Factory and was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor from 1879 to 1906. This scan will be useful to include in the Gideon Nicol fileThis is an A4 sheet of paper (scan). The obituary is printed in black and white with an ornate border with some discoloration on the outer edges.In Loving Remembrance of Gideon Nicol who died March 20th 1908, R.I.P. (an extract from the Warrnambool Standard follows)gideon nicol, warrnambool, gideon nicol obituary

Fanny Isabella Nicol. Refer 1795P for Service history, 1797.5, 1796.9. also 2591Six items relating to Fanny Isabella Nicol. .1) Badge, metal, round,"Australian Red Cross Society Vic Division" .2) Badge, round, metal, "Returned from Active Service" Crown at top, centre Rising Sun depiction with AIF under. .3) Identity Disc, personalised, round, metal with ring at top. Possibly made from an Eygptian coin with one side polished bare. .4) Badge, metal, "RSL Membership" Crown at top with membership clip with "55" denoting financial member 1955. Centre has two figures. .5) Badge, metal, oval shape "Presbyterian Church of Victoria" .6) Badge, metal, round, "Red Cross Society Vic Division" .2) Issued by Dept of Defence. On rear "211483" .3 "F.I.NICOL PRES A.A.N.S" .4) On rear "V33761" .5) "Centenary 1937"badges, membership, service

Colour photograph of ladies dressed in period costume in back of four wheeled horse-drawn wagon."l-r Cameron, Judy and Emma Nicol, Alice Knight".smythesdale homecomers parade 1981, ldhs activities

Brass plaque"This room was furnished in memory of our brother William Nicol Died Nov 1919"methodist babies' home

Collection of Newspaper clippings from Scrap Book 1960 - 1973Photo showing Mrs Dixon receiving Life Membership award from Noel Nicol, Hospital President, plus Mrs P Forrest (Marion) Mrs V Stoppa (Peg) who received Life Governorships.warley hospital, mrs p forrest, mrs v stoppa, mrs l r dixon, mr noel nicol, life membership warley hospital, life governorship, jean jamieson

“FANNY ISABELLA NICOL” Ref Cat no 2317.6TRENCH ART- Brass heart shaped locket on a chair, blue enamel writing. Rising Sun Insignia RISING SUN INSIGNIA AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH MILITARY FORCES trench art, metalwork

Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. A Voyage to Terra Australis Vol 2 Book II Transactions during the Circumnavigation of Terra Australis, from the time of leaving Port Jackson to the return to that Port Author: Matthew Flinders Publisher: G and W Nicol Date: 1814Label on spine cover with typed text RA 910.4 FLI Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, a voyage to terra australis vol 2 book ii, matthew flinders

Gentleman identified as Norm Cornish with Nicol's baker's cart and bread basket.Small B&W photograph of man in shirt sleeves with horse and two wheeled cart. Photo taken near Linton Pioneer Memorial (R.H. side)."3956 B".norm cornish, transport, horse drawn vehicles, nicol's bakery, linton pioneer memorial

Joyce Rowe (afterwards Joyce Chung) was born in Portland in 1912 (#33359), the daughter of Joseph and Florence Rowe (née Nicol). Joyce seems to have been living with her Nicol grandparents in Linton when she started at Linton State School in 1917. In 1931 she married Martin (Mick) Chung (#6196)Black and white image of a young girl standing next to a chair. Image has been made as a postcard."To Ruby / with Love / Wishing you a / Merry Xmas & / a Happy New Year / Joyce age 5 / 5/10/14".joyce rowe, joyce chung

Belonged to Fanny Isabella Nicol Staff Nurse AIF. Refer 1795P for service history, 2317.6, 2591.4 paper & circular tin ANZAC day badges (not individually marked) .1) round paper badge "Remembrance " wattle flowers .2) square badge union jack flag and Navy flag (red) .3) round badge "remembrance." ANZAC day (1936) mauve .4) R.S.L remembrance ANZAC day (1940) yellow paper badge. .5) round metal badge ANZAC day purple / yellow .6) round badge metal ANZAC day (1939) purple/ green .7) round badge (metal) ANZAC day (1938) blue/ green with a laurel wreath + bow .8) round metal badge twentieth anniversary (1935) green/ blue .9) round metal badge "Lest we forget." brown /white) soldier with open. badges, remembrance, australian

Sepia photograph of four young men in uniform, three seated one standing behind. The four men are identified as: (standing) Jim Nicol, (seated left to right) George Bennett, Bob Cornish and Jim Wishart. The image has been adhered to a thick cardboard backing.linton fire brigade, fire brigades, jim nicol, george bennett, bob cornish, jim wishart

This image was reproduced in the Ballarat School of Mines Calendar 1901-2. The students would be overlooking the Ballarat School of Mines Botanical Gardens/Students of the Ballarat School of Mines pose for a group photograph behind 'The New Classrooms' which were opened in 1901. (later called the Administration Building). Students include Harold Alston, Sydney Adamson, Thomas Davies, Victor Nichol, William Playford, Donald Urquhart, Samuel Walmsley, Herbert L. Krause, Lionel Lambert, John Dickenson, Roy Inglis, Frank Lush, Reginald C. Stewart, Harold Irwin, William Tucker, Vere F. Barton, Alexander Andrew, Hendley Bruant, Sim, Arthur Atkins, Victor Nicolballarat school of mines, ballarat school of mines students, new classrooms, administration building, krause, lambert, urquhart, playford, adamson, davies, inglis, lush, irwin, barton, andrew, bryant, sim, grieve, giles, elder, gibson, atkins, nicol, alston, walmsley, student activity, class photograph

Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853 a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fund raising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former court house in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historic books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historic Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed art works and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. A Voyage to Terra Australis Vol 1 Undertaken for the purpose of completing the Discovery of that vast country, and prosecuted in the years 1801,1802 and 1803 in His Majesty's Ship The Investigator, and subsequently in the armed vessel Porpoise and Cumberland schooner. Author: Matthew Flinders Publisher: G and W Nicol Date: 1814Label on spine cover with typed text RA 910.4 FLI Fly endpaper has a stamp from Warrnambool Public Museum Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Librarywarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, great ocean road, book, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, warrnambool public library, a voyage to terra australis vol 1, matthew flinders

Colour photograph of four adults in period costume and several children seated in four wheel horse drawn wagon in country setting."L-R Jim Mason, Letty Armstrong, Maisie Hart, Kevin Knight, Children: Cameron, Emma and Rohan Nicol. Horse Sam".smythesdale homecomers parade 1981, ldhs activities

Identified by Mrs Surman as the Linton football team in about 1900. Mrs Surman also identified names of players, which are inscribed on the back of the photograph. Guernseys were apparently hand-knitted at this time, mostly by the players' mothers. They were all in team colours, blue and white, but had different patterns. (This information given by Mrs Stella Surman in a 1991 interview. Interview recorded on CD - see Registration no. 2019-212.)Original sepia photograph of a group of men wearing football guernseys. Guernseys have different patterns (mostly variations on vertical stripes) and most are laced at the front."Jack Brown / about 1900 / L to R / H Roberts, R Nicol, Ben Cornish, Catton, Jack Hogan, Pearly Power, J Mitchell, H Catton /Jim Hogan, A Nicol, P Crane, B Angus, W McMillan, Tony Cunningham / Mick Cunningham, -?- , Whitecross, Jack Cunningham, J Brown".linton football club, jack brown, h. roberts, r. nicol, a. nicol, ben cornish, h. catton, jack hogan, jim hogan, "pearey" power, j. mitchell, p. crane (craine), b. angus, w. mcmillan, tony cunningham, mick cunningham, jack cunningham, whitecross

The competition was to increase awareness of the pioneering of Phillip Island. 155 entries were received and winners were compiled in the booklet. Art competition winners were Open- Frances Reith and Maree Chaston. Secondary- Neil McRae and Shannon Condick. Primary- Laurie Chisholm and Paul Matthews. Essay Competition winners were Open- Patsy Hunt and Audrey Nicol.. Secondary- Judy Nicol and Cameron Ashe. Primary- Joanne Scrase and Richard Patching.HistoricalLarge yellow coloured booklet with green binding with typed pages, photos and drawings. Also a draft copy of the booklet pre printing which has typed sections pasted onto pages.Snippets of Phillip Island History. Entries from The Shire of Phillip Island Art and Essay competition 1982, conducted in association with the opening of the library, heritage centre and meeting room.chicory industry, the speke, phillip island cemetery, swimming baths, churchill island, ventnor state school, ventnor hall, killara ferry, motor racing

Buildings which can be seen in the photo are Nicol's bakery, Bennett's house, Bennett's Garage. Photograph probably taken in 1930s. (Bennett's house built 1928.)Black and white photograph of buildings in a street with a motor vehicle outside one of them."Linton".sussex street linton, nicol's bakery, houses, bennett family, bennett's garage

A moulding plane is a specialised plane used for making the complex shapes found in wooden mouldings that are used to decorate furniture or other wooden objects. Traditionally, moulding planes were blocks of wear-resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape of the intended moulding. The blade or iron was likewise formed to the intended moulding profile and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding planes for the full range of work to be performed. Large crown mouldings required planes of six or more inches in width, which demanded great strength to push and often had additional peg handles on the sides, allowing the craftsman's apprentice or other workers to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it. Company History: We know little of John Manners other than his firm was acquired by Alexander Mathieson & Sons in 1822, Mathieson were one of the leading makers of hand tools in Scotland at this time. 1792 was deemed by Mathieson & Sons to be that of its foundation and it was in all likelihood the year in which John Manners had also set up his plane-making workshop on Saracen Lane off the Gallowgate in the heart of Glasgow, not far from the Saracen's Head Inn. Alexander Mathieson (1797–1851) is recorded in 1822 as a plane-maker at 25 Gallowgate, but in the following year at 14 Saracen's Lane, it is presumed having taken over the premises of John Manners. The 1841 national census described Alexander Mathieson as a master plane-maker at 38 Saracen Lane with his son Thomas Adam working as a journeyman plane-maker, from 1822 we hear nothing regards what happened to John Manners.A vintage tool made by a known maker John Manners the item is a significant wood working tool from the late 18th century that today is quite rare. As this maker sold his business to Alexander Mathieson another collectable tool maker in the early 19th century. This item would be sought after by wood working tool collectors and it gives us a snapshot of how cabinet makers went about creating furniture during this time period. Wood Moulding plane Side Bead - Single Box type Stamped Manners (Maker) (also inside stamped GN, & W, M. Nicol also F W. probably owners of item over the years.)flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The Sartori family settled at Yandoit. A black and white photograph of nine members of the Sartori family. They are Standing left to right: Tom Mills Senior, John Mills, Mary (Pollu) Sartori, Jim Sartori, Charles Sartori, Nicol (Nick) Sartori. Sitting left to right: Charles Sartori, Lucy Sartori (married Fred Schroeder), Annie Theresa.sartori, swiss/italian, tom mills, john mills, mary sartori, jim sartori, charles sartori, lucy sartori

Kitty (Catherine) Sandow and Joyce Rowe grew up in Linton and attended Linton State School. Kitty Sandow (1916-1984) married Reg Jennings in 1946. Joyce Rowe (1912-1997) married Mick (Martin) Chung in 1931. Kitty and Reg took over the management of Kitty's parent's grocery and confectionery shop, which then became known as "Jennings' Milk Bar". Joyce, a descendant of the Nicol family, worked at Nicol's bakery. Her husband Mick Chung worked for the railways.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph which has been mounted on card. The photograph shows two women, both wearing dark coloured jackets and skirts, hats and dress-shoes. The woman on the left is carrying a handbag, while the woman on the right has a handbag tucked under her arm. They are standing on a roadway or track, and a wire fence and paddock can be seen in the background. Kitty Jennings (née Sandow) and her friend Joyce Chung (née Rowe). The photograph is undated.joyce chung (née rowe), kitty jennings (née sandow)

Players were identified by Mrs Surman in 1987, however it is not entirely clear which player is which. L-R, back row: Bob Donovan, Mr Trengrove, -?-, Arthur (Paddy) Todd, Milton Todd, Jack Megee, Bob Nicol, Billy Megee, Bob? Hogan, -?-, ?Sandow, Bill Lewis (Lewers?), Bob Cornish. Front row: Billy Todd, "Diddy" Powell, Dave Nicol, Jack?Hogan, Eugene Sandow, Blair Donaldson, Jim Nelson, -?Blamire, ?Elbourne.Black and white copy of original photograph which shows the Linton football team in about 1904. Team members are wearing guernseys with different patterns. Some guernseys are laced at the front. Team officials, wearing hats, are in the back row.

Fred Paddick was a baker for Nicol's Bakery in Sussex Street, Linton (also known as the 'Edinburgh Bakery' - building currently in private ownership). The photograph was taken at the rear of the bakery building.Black and white copy of photograph showing a man standing out the back of a brick, timber and iron roofed building. He is wearing white bakers uniform of hat, pants, shirt and apron and holding a loaf of bread."Mr Fred Paddick"fred paddick, nicol's bakery, bakers

The group is pictured outside the Linton fire station/weighbridge. The occasion was probably to do with the visit to Australia by the Queen in 1954.Black and white photograph of five men wearing casual clothes and one woman wearing skirt with long-sleeved top and head scarf. The building they are in front of has the date "1939" on it. On the left behind them is a display with small Union Jack and Commonwealth flags, the word "LINTON", and the date "1954"."Bill Grigg (grandfather of Chris Grigg), Carrie Murrell / Ted Porter Les Ching / Bill Murrell Dave Nicol / Shire of Grenville weighbridge in background".bill grigg (william spencer grigg), carrie murrell, ted porter, les ching, bill murrell, dave nicol

Fanny Isabella Nicol, Staff nurse A.A.M.S WWI. Badge collection during and post WWI in aid of returned servicemen and War effort. Refer 1795P for service history, 2317.6, 2591. 5 fundraising badges ( 3 metal, 2 paper) not individually marked. .1) Graphic of war memorial Melbourne (black & white) .2) Oval badge, floral pattern red/white, blue ribbon re Repatriation. .3) Black & white circular badge, metal (General kitchener) .4) Round, blue, metal, map outline of Australia , red print, help win the war. .5) Round metal badge, Australian Flag & soldierfundraising, numismatics- badges

Photograph of Dalgety and Company employees standing outside Dalgety Wool Stores at the corner of Victoria Terrace and Gheringhap Street, 1913-1928? The name H.G. Nicol is written in pencil on the back of the photograph.H.G.Nicol (pencil)dalgety and company limited

A photocopy of the programme of The Tour under the Direction J. & N. Tait. On the front page of the programme are the words, ' The Tour under the Direction of J. & N. Tait.. Artists Miss Amy Castles soprano, Mr. Anderson Nicol tenor, Mr. Peter Dawson Basso, Mr. Victor Busst solo pianoforte. On the inside and the back is the programme. Date unknown.program, music, singing, lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, music, singing, event, concert, amy castles, anderson nicol, peter dawson, victor busst

LINTON CRICKET TEAM 1895: STANDING L-R AJ SMITH, S LEWERS, AC CORK, H ADAMS, DR DONALDSON, I CRAINE, J HOGAN, K DONOVAN, R HISSHION, A NICOL, J GODDEN, J ANGUS, J BROWN; SECOND ROW L-R ED NICHOLLS, P ROBERTS, D CORNISH, R CORNISH, J SEMMENS, R HANSEN, J NICOL; FRONT ROW L-R R HISSHION JNR, S BALL, BEN CORNISH, TED NICHOLLS, JAS WEARNESepia photograph of a group of men wearing sports wear and hats, two with cricket bats, a trophy in front.linton cricket team, sports, a. j. smith, s. lewers, a. c. cork, h. adams, dr donaldson, i. craine, j. hogan, k. donovan, r. hisshion, a. nicol, j. godden, j. angus, j. brown, ed. nicholls, p. roberts, d. cornish, r. cornish, j. semmens, r. hansen, j. nicol, r. hisshion jnr., s. ball, ben cornish, ted nicholls, jas wearne

A Gunter’s Chain, an old land surveying instrument, is named after its inventor, Edmund Gunter (1581-1626), an English mathematician and astronomer. It was first produced in 1620. The tool has 100 links and is 66 feet or one chain long. The links are marked off in groups of ten by metal tags or rings. A quarter chain (25 links) is called a rod or pole and ten chains make a furlong and 80 chains a mile. The traditional cricket pitch is 22 yards or one chain long. This chain is said to have been used by Gilbert Nicol when the Warrnambool to Hamilton Road was constructed in the 19th century. Gilbert Nicol was an early settler in Warrnambool who, with John Craig, established the first hotel (and the first building) in Warrnambool in 1847. Nicol later owned the property ‘Rosehill’ in the Warrnambool area. As the chain was given to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by the Town Clerk, Keith Arnel, it is likely that the chain was one of the items in the old Warrnambool MuseumThis Gunter’s Chain is of importance because it is an early land measuring device that was used for over 250 years and has great historical and mathematical significance. If it is correct that it was used by Gilbert Nicol when the Warrnambool to Hamilton Road was built then it has considerable local significance and dates back to the 19th century. This is a metal tool which consists of 100 metal pieces or links joined together by loops at each end with two metal loops in between each link. The links joined together form a chain. The two ends of the chain have small metal handles attached. At intervals along the chain there are additional rings or metal pieces attached. The metal is very rusted.gunter’s chain, land measurement tools, history of warrnambool