In 1866, in an effort to maintain the main roads of the region it was decided to establish toll roads on the Belfast, Woodford, Purnim and Allansford roads. Gates were erected and the leases were disposed of by auction. In 1867 the Woodford tollhouse was destroyed by fire suspected to be deliberate. The tolls were removed three years later after much opposition.This item has historic significant as in the early years(1864) of Warrnambool Tolls were levied on the three main roads leading from Warrnambool into the Shire. In 1864 the Shire of Warrnambool decided that tolls were the only just way to raise funds for maintenance of metalled roads. the Shire of Warrnambool had been created in 1863 from the old Warrnambool Roads Board.Small booklet 140mms long by 40mms wide 13mm depth. Blue & grey marbled cardboard covers back & green oiled cloth binding. Inside full book of double side ticket stubs with perforations in the middle.Shire of Warrnambool. WOODFORD ROAD. TOLL GATE 1s. 6d. Fairfax & Laurie, Printerswarrnambool, shire of warrnambool, woodford road, main belfast road, toll gate, toll tickets, woodford toll house 1866, fairfax & laurie printers

A detailed continuum of correspondence showing the progress of development in the district and the co-operation and cost sharing between the different shires to have work completed. This collection of letters provides a very good overview of issues and work covered in the early settlement days of the district. Cover is brown watermarked patterned cloth with tan suede binding and corners. Inside front and back covers is green and red patterned paper. Alphabetical index at the front. The ledger contains copies of letters which were written to local shires and lands Departments and relate mainly to matters of infrastructure and local government charges There are a number of invoices at the back of the book.: Letter Book No. on spine. Gold lettering on red. Serial numbers, signatures, engravings, dedications in books, manufacturing details or personal markingswarrnambool, warrnambool shire, hampden shire, mount rouse shire, geelong to belfast road, alfred davies, 1873-1875, shire correspondence

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white sketch photographed Line drawing of the Commercial hotelhotel, building, commercial, oak and anchor, inn, pub, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white photograph of 8 males formally posed outside entrance to Commercial hotelhotel, building, kemp family, bank street, royal oak, commercial, oak and anchor, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The sign on the hotel states "Fitzgerald's Commercial Hotel" more research is being undertaken as to this owner or lessee. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel has now been transformed into apartments and a restaurant called the Oak and Anchor Image of the hotel at an earlier timeBlack and white photograph of Two story bluestone painted commercial hotel with large verandah car at kerbhotel, building, bank street, john j huntly, d smith, royal oak, commercial, fitzgerald, kemp, oak and anchor

Patrick Tennyson, Mayor of Belfast 1891 1896-98, owner of Tennyson’s hotelBlack and white photograph of Patrick Tennyson in a top hatbelfast, mayor, shire, council, local-government, publican, patrick tennyson, tennyson, hotel, tennyson’s hotel

Black and white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Mayor of Port Fairy 1888Sepia portrait of Mayor in suit belfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Cornelius Bourke Mayor 1906Black and white photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

John Gray Mayor of Port Fairy 1918Black and white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

John Baulch Appointed Mayor of Port Fairy,1923,1929, 1934, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1953Black and white portrait photograph of John Baulch wearing Mayoral robesbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government, john baulch

Edward Manley Mayor of Port Fairy 1920, 1921,1928Black and White portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Mayor of Port Fairy1924 Black and white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Robert Scott Mayor of Port Fairy 1926Black and white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Alfred James Gentles Mayor of Port Fairy 1927Mayor of Belfast 1927Black and white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, shire council, portrait, councillors

Arthur Edward Unkles Mayor of Port Fairy 1930Black & white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, local government, shire, council

William Urquart Riddell 1931, 1935Black & white portrait photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government, school teacher

Black & white photographshire council, local government, mayor, belfast

John Sarsfield Brophy Mayor 1956 1957 1975 1976 1977 1978 CEO of Port Fairy Hospital Greatly involved in the Moyneyana Festival which raises money for the Port Fairy Hospital or Moyne Health Services as it is now known.Black & white portrait of John Brophy in mayoral robes, jabot and gold chainbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

K Crowe Mayor 1985Black and white photographbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

David McLean Mayor 1989 ChemistColoured portraitbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Gregory J Hyland Mayor 1991 1992 Farmer with a property on the Princes Highway toward PortlandColoured portraitbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Gerard C De Vries Mayor 1992Coloured portraitbelfast, mayor, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government

Councillor William Anderson lived at his property “Rosemount” Yangery. he’s was elected to the Legislative Council and represented this district for a number of years.Black and white portrait of a male with white beardCouncillor W Anderson 1865-1866president, belfast, portrait, council, shire, government, municipal, local-government, rosemount, yangery

George Lydiard occupied the station “Korongah” and with Mr J Knight carried out extensive drainage works from Tower hill to the Belfast Lough. This drain was constructed over a period of two years, is six miles long and some of it still exists.Black and white portraitbelfast, president, portrait, shire, council, municipal, local-government, korongah, g.lydiard

Councillor John Cox Ritchie has the distinction of being in the chair for 4 consecutive years. He lived on his father’s property “Aringa” station and was the brother of Councillor Geoff RitchieBlack and white portrait of Councillor J.C.RitchieCr JC Ritchie 1996-97-98-99 1900belfast, president, portrait, government, shire, council, municipal, local-government, aringa

Councillor M Scott was a butcher in Koroit and his fame spread as a trainer of several good race horses. At the time racing was prospering in the district and it was a very rare occasion that Councillor Scott’s horses did not win a race at the local meetings.Black and white portrait president, belfast, portrait, government, shire, municipal, local-government, m.scott