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Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Photograph - Colour, Clare Gervasoni, Mount Franklin from Smeaton, 22/09/2013
An extinct volcanic mountain known as Mount Franklin from Smeaton, Victoriamount franklin, volcano, smeaton, lalgambook -
Federation University Historical Collection
Programme, Creswick Advertiser Print, Welcome Home and Complimentary Dinner to Mr Frank Wright Tendered by the Citizens of Smeaton, 1949, 11:MMMM, 1949 (exact); The dinner was held on 16 November 1949
Frank Wright was born at Smeaton, lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner, and his large family was musical, winning many awards in the singing and instrumental areas. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and by the age of 18 was the Australian Open Cornet Champion. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and as conductor Frank won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. He became well known and respected as a conductor and adjudicator of band competitions at very high levels in Australia and New Zealand. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, as well as at Ballarat’s South Street and in Australia and New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia. A printed card programme that has been folded in half to make four pages. The programme includes the toast list and performers and was held at Smeaton Hallfrank wright, smeaton, b s righetti, f w redman, a e pickering, r lemke, j c rowe, daryl lindsay, a w cosgrave, mizzeni, brass bands -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph, Clare Gervasoni, Headstones in Smeaton Cemetery, 29/09/2013
Headstones in the Smeaton Cemetery.smeaton, smeaton cemetery, headstones, james eckersley, g.l. nase, anna maria nase, alice maria nase, john edwin dean, anna m. dean, anna maria dean, a. broom, mccrum, ann mccrum, jean dow, andrew wilson, samuel lilley, edmund fulton lilley, robert cowie, helen mcintosh -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Kodak Australia, Frank Wright's Parents at Laura Villa, Smeaton, 1922
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Sepia photograph of a man and a woman standing in front of a picket fence which surrounds a timber cottage with a corrugated iron roof, including a striped front verandah roof. On the left hand side of the photograph is a hill with a large pine tree. The people are Sarah and William Wright and the cottage is "Laura Villa" at Smeaton.Printed on back - Post Card, Kodak Australiafrank wright, sarah wright, william wright, laura villa, smeaton, picket fence -
Federation University Art Collection
Painting - Artwork, 'Smeaton' by Wes Walters [and charcoal study], 1978
Wes WALTERS (06 August 1928 - 19 August 2014) Born Mildura, Victoria From 1940 t0 1945 Wes Walters attended the Ballarat High School. He then studied architecture at the Gordon Institute in Geelong, followed by art at the Ballarat School of Mines (a division of the Ballarat School of Mines). During his time at the Ballarat Technical Art School (later Federation University Australia) Walters studied under Neville Bunning and Taylor Kelloch, and was awarded the Ballarat Ladies Art Association Scholarship in 1948. He next moved to Melbourne to work as a commercial artist with the George Patterson advertising agency. Each evening Walters studied life drawing at the Victoria Artists’ Society and taught himself anatomy. Wes Walters excelled in both abstract and realist art. He won the Art Gallery of Ballarat’s Minnie Crouch Prize for watercolour art in 1953 and 1956. He won the prestigious Archibald Prize in 1879 for his portrait of Phillip Adams, and the sketch was completed tin preparation for that portrait. Bruce Smeaton (born 5 March 1938) is an Australian composer who is well known for a variety of Australian film and television scores in all genres, including features, shorts, television, documentaries and advertisements.[1] His scores include Picnic at Hanging Rock, Seven Little Australians, Roxanne, Iceman, and Circle of Iron. He has won the Australian Film Institute 'Best Original Music Score' Award for The Cars That Ate Paris (1974), The Great McCarthy (1975), The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978) and Street Hero (1984, shared with Garth Porter and others). (Wikipedia).1) Portrait of Bruce Smeaton in oil on an unframed stretcher. .2) Charcoal sketch of the head of Bruce Smeatonwes walters, portrait, artist, artwork, bruce smeaton, musician, sketch, walters, alumni, available -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Document - Image, Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton, 1884, 05/02/1888
Luigi Gervasoni was born in San Gallo, Bergamo, Lambardy, Italy and arrived in Victoria in 1863.Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton.luigi gervasoni, philately, invoice, yandoit, grocer, draper, general merchant, david staley, david g. staley, smeaton -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Image, Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton, 1884, 16/05/1884
Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton.luigi gervasoni, philately, invoice, yandoit, grocer, draper, general merchant, david staley, david g. staley, smeaton -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Image, Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton, 1886, 24/10/1886
Invoice from David G. Staley, Grocer, Drapers, butcher and General Merchant, of Yandoit and Smeaton.luigi gervasoni, philately, invoice, yandoit, grocer, draper, general merchant, david staley, david g. staley, smeaton -
Clunes Museum
Booklet, ALAN AND CHERYL JUST, ALL THAT GLISTENS
REPORT ON JOHN ANDERSON AND THE SMEATON GOLD MINE IN 1881 TO 1890 WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONJOHN ANDERSON AND THE SMEATON RESERVE GOLD MINE 1881 TO 1890 WITH PHOTOGRAPHS MAPS AND DESCRIPTION. 23 PAGES COMPILED BY CHERYL AND ALAN JUSTnon-fictionREPORT ON JOHN ANDERSON AND THE SMEATON GOLD MINE IN 1881 TO 1890 WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. MAPS AND DESCRIPTIONsmeaton reserve goldmine, cheryl and alan just, john anderson -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, Wright Family headstone in Smeaton Cemetery, late 1930's
From the collection of Frank Wright. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Six similar black and white photographs of a headstone. The headstone marks the graves of three people; Hilda, her mother Sarah and father William. It is the Wright family headstone and the place is Smeaton Cemetery.hilda wright, sarah wright, willaim wright, frank wright, headstone, smeaton cemetery, family history -
Federation University Historical Collection
Map, Creswick, Clunes, Smeaton, Newstead, Yandoit and District, 1904, 06/1904
A coloured geological map with green and pink predominating. The shows Ascot, Creswick, Clunes, Franklinford, Miners Rest, Sandon, Smeaton, Tourello, Yandoitascot, creswick, clunes, franklinford, miners rest, sandon, smeaton, tourello, yandoit, mt moorookyle, powlett's hill, woodhouse's hill, smeaton hill, mcdonald's hill, green hill, spring hill, horse shoe hill, mt cameron, strangways, avoca forest, stanley hunter, j.w. gregory, d. mcleod, donald mcleod, daruel -
Federation University Historical Collection
Image, Smeaton Mechanics' Institute and Free Library, 1928, 14/11/1928
Scan of a receipt from the Smeaton Mechanics' Institute and Free Library. The receipt relates to the hire of the hall to show 'Gem Pictures'.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, receipt, smeaton mechanics' institute and free library -
Federation University Historical Collection
Book, Alex Sideratos et al, Anderson's Mill Smeaton - Main Report. Student Project, 1992
Anderson's Mill Smeaton - Main Report. Student Project.White bound book of 80 pages and includes five appendices.anderson's mill, smeaton, alex sideratos, ozlem soyogul, michael pearlman, jane lennon, chris smith, simon nelly, barry golding, russel dawe, margaret giles, ross squires, executive summary, introduction, methodology, swot analysis, site analysis, concept/product analysis, summary of market research, other development options to consider, community involvement, preferred option & cost analysis, marketing recommendations, management issues, conclusion, the courier ballarat, department of conservation and natural resources, creswick business promotions committee, creswick, daylesford, kingston, allendale, flour mill, anderson brothers, convent gallery daylesford, mill restaurant malmsbury, oat mill -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - sepia, Wright Family of Smeaton, Victoria
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Alex was an accomplished opera and musical comedy singer. Maurice won the Tenor Championship in New Zealand. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Sepia photograph of a group of four men, three of which are seated. They are all dressed in 3-piece suits. The men are Frank Wright, William Wright (the father), Alex Wright (behind) and another brother (possibly Maurice).frank wright, william wright, alex wright, cornet, ballarat, conductor, "wendouree", smeaton -
Federation University Historical Collection
Image - black and white, Frank Wright and Bob Sewell at Smeaton, 1930s
smeaton, wright -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Mrs Nickelson, Mrs Boyd, & Mrs Smeaton all of Black Range Great Western
Post Card - Mrs Nickelson. Mrs Boyd. Mrs Smeaton all of Black Range Great Westernstawell -
City of Ballarat Libraries
Photograph - Card Box Photographs, Anderson's Mill, Smeaton circa 1960
Acquired by the then Dept of Conservation Forests & Lands who restored the building & replaced long iron shed with timber veranda.anderson's mill, smeaton, building, manufacturing, vehicle -
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat)
Film - Photograph by Herb Richmond. ca 1971, Smeaton - Bridge over the Bullarook Creek (Birch Creek) leading to the old Flour Mill
Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Plus X Pan Film.ballarat, ballaraat, smeaton, bridge, bullarook, birch, creek -
Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute (BMI Ballarat)
Film - Photograph by Herb Richmond. ca 1971, Smeaton- Bridge over the Bullarook Creek (Birch Creek) leading to the old Flour Mill
Ballarat History35mm B&W Kodak Plus X Pan Film.ballarat, ballaraat, smeaton, bridge, bullarook, birch, creek -
Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph - Honour Board, Clare Gervasoni, Werona World War One Honour Board, 06/10/2013
Photograph of the Werona World War One Honour Board on display in the Smeaton Primary School in 2013.werona honour board, c. andrew, h. andrew, j. cook, c. cook, g. croucher, w. cameron, r. edmonstone, g.c. hurley, p.j. hanley, t.e. hanley, t. pearson, h. tognolini, werona, werona state school -
Gippsland Art Gallery
Work on Paper, Smeaton, James, Moose Head/Upset/ Hawkelegs, 2000
Donated by Bendigo Art Gallery, 2006Mixed media on papergippsland, artwork, permanent collection -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Kodak Australia, Frank Wright's Mother, c1930
Sarah Wright was the mother of Frank Wright and was born around 1858 and died in April 1932 aged 74 years. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. Frank Wright said that his mother had "a voice of purest gold, placidity and graciousness that were characteristic of Melba". The family lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. Frank's father William was a gold miner. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Frank Wright's mother sits at a table in a kitchen (probably her home - Laura Villa, Smeaton)On back - Post Card, Kodak Australiasarah wright, frank wright, brass band, smeaton, laura cottage -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF TWO MEN STANDING IN FRONT OF A WEATHER BOARD HOUSE - WOLFENDEN HOUSE. CORNER LESLIE AND SMEATON ROAD CLUNES.HAND WRITTEN IN BLACKLEAD PENCIL WOLFENDEN HOUSE CNR. LESLIE AND SMEATON ROAD.local history, photography, photographs, early citizens -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF CLUNES TOWNSHIP, TAKEN FROM LESLIE STREET EAST, OFF SMEATON ROAD.METHODIST & PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES IN CENTRE TAKEN FROM LESLIE ST. EAST OF SMEATON ROAD NOTE WESLEYAN CHURCH HAS SPIRElocal history, photography, photographs, clunes township -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph - Photograph - Black and White, Indian Scout Motorbike, 1924, 1/1/1924
Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a motorbike standing on the grass outside a picket fence. The bike belonged to Frank Wright and the place was "Laura Villa".Written in ink on back - My Indian Scout. Taken in front of "laura Villa", Smeaton. 1/1/24frank wright, cornet, conductor, ballarat, laura villa, smeaton, indian motorbike, motorbike, motorcycle, transport -
Parks Victoria - Andersons Mill
Sign - Stencil
This stencil was used on bags and possibly other packaging containing grain processed and packed at Anderson's Mill. The stencil would have indicated the destination of, or origin of the grain.Rectangular, brown, vinyl type material. Lettering: Andersons (blue) Cow Meal (red) Made by D. Anderson & Co Millers, Smeaton Vic, 100lbs, when Pac" (all blue) Some lettering broken bottom right."ANDERSONS / COW MEAL / MADE BY / D. ANDERSON & CO / MILLERS / SMEATON VIC / 100 LBS / WHEN PAC" -
Federation University Historical Collection
Ceremonial object - Bag, Lodge bag belonging to Frank J. Wright of the Yarrowee Lodge No 10 V.C
Frank Wright became well known in Brass Band circles. Born in Smeaton, he competed at Ballarat's South Street, conducted the Ballarat Brass Band, and the Ballarat Soldiers' Memorial band before leaving Australia for England as Bandmaster for St Hilda's Brass Band. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born in 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Brown leather pouch with silver coloured metal clasp. The item belonged to Frank Wright of Smeaton."Bro. F.J. Wright, Yarrowee Lodge, No 10. V.C.frank wright, yarrowee lodge -
Clunes Museum
Photograph
CLUNES CATTLEMARKET HOTEL. BUILT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SMEATON ROAD BETWEEN DARLING AND BARKLEY STREETS..1.2 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF CLUNES CATTLEMARKET HOTEL, LOCATED ON SMEATON ROAD, CLUNES, MAN AND LADY STANDING IN FRONT .DOG RESTING ON VERANDAH. WOODEN CONSTRUCTION WITH SHINGLE ROOF. ENLARGED PHOTOGRAPHS .3-..6 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS OF CLUNES CATTLE MARKET HOTEL..1 HANDWRITTEN ON BACKAUNTIE SIS AND UNCLE OWEN. MISS SYMONS AND BROTHER RELATED TO SPARKS . MAYOR - BUTCHER. CATTLE MARKET HOTELlocal history, photography, photographs, hotels - cattle market -
Federation University Historical Collection
Photograph, Alexander Wright (Navarre)
Alexander Wright was born on 25 August, 1898 in Smeaton He was the brother of musician Frank Wright. Alex Wright was killed whilst performing at the Birmingham Empire as the result of a German air Attack in October 1940. The theatre had a direct hit. According to Frank Wright Alex was a great impersonator with a unique range Bass - tenor with many accents (not unlike Peter Dawson) "AUSTRALIAN CARUSO Smeaton Boy's Fame Andre Navarre, who left Australia about three years ago to study opera in Europe, bids fair to take a place among the world's great tenors. A few months ago Navarre sang for Melba for the first time, and she immediately acclaimed him to be a finished artist, describing his voice as the nearest approach to the immortal Caruso she had ever heard, writes the Ballarat "Courier." Andre Navarre is, however, only a stage name adopted by Alexander Wright, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William. Wright, of Armstrong street North, Ballarat, and brother of Mr. Frank Wright and Mrs. William Ritchie, of that city. Born at smeaton 31 years ago, in what may be termed a musical atmosphere; Alex. Wright showed a definite desire to sing at a very early age, and in his boyhood figured as soloist at school concerts, etc. His youth was spent around Smeaton, working at home and at various farms in the district until he was about 19 years of age, when he secured a position at the Dunlop rubber works, Melbourne. Up to this period Wright had no vocal training whatever, but being the possessor of a good resonant baritone voice, was persuaded by some of his friends to "have a go at the stage.'' Securing a position in the chorus of "Maid of the Mountains," which was at that time showing at the Theatre Royal, he soon made his voice heard to advantage, and also commenced to take lessons from Signor Robottaro. It was about this time that Wright was invited by a fellow musician to a musical evening at which a member of Rigo's grand opera company, then performing at " The Playhouse," was also present. Hearing Wright sing, the musician immediately said : ' You're a fool to waste your time in a chorus with that voice. Rigo is looking for a singer like you for the role of 'Figaro' in 'Barber of Seville'." Alex, however, did not take the remark seriously, and it was only after the numerous persuasions of friends who obviously knew the real value of his voice that the modest young man was eventually induced to meet Rigo. The Italian maestro was so delighted with the voice that without hesitation he was given the principle role of "The Barber" to study. Many singers having previously been tried and rejected for the part, Wright was astonished at his success in being chosen, and awakened suddenly to the fact by the maestro that a world voice, if properly trained, would surely develop in the young artist, Alex at once settled down to study, and all day long in his boarding house at St. Kilda could be heard rehearsing his new role. In less than a month he had completely mastered the part, and on the opening night, in the exacting role of "The Barber," he was an outstanding success. Later, he toured Australia with many leading artists, including Elsa Stralia and Harry Lauder, and spent his last two years in Sydney, where he was engaged as soloist in the biggest picture house. Realising that a training in Italy and on the Continent was essential for a successful operatic singer, the young artist decided to go overseas to continue his studies. He did not leave Australia, however, before he gratuitously gave a concert in his little home town to the obvious delight of all his old friends, who flocked from all parts of the district to hear him. The hall was packed to overflowing , and so pleased was Alex with the tumultuous reception he received that he sang fewer than 20 songs. Once in Italy, he lost no time in placing himself under the tuition of Cottone, and it was at the studio of this maestro that he met Toti dal Monte, a former protege of the same master. Two years were spent in Italy, when "Navarre" learned to speak the Italian language fluently, and acquired a wide knowledge of the operas. He sang in Milan about a year ago, and was paid some glowing tributes by the Italian Press critics, who likened his voice to that of Caruso. From Italy he went to Paris, where he met John Brownlee and many other famous singers. The critics on the Continent are unanimous that Andre Navarre-the unassuming Smeaton boy, whom his schoolmates still affectionately call "Hock"--is destined to become one of the luminaries in music history. It is interesting to recall some facts concerning the remarkable family from which this artist springs. Four other members have won championship honors in the musical world. Mr. Frank Wright has the Australasian cornet championship to his credit ; Mr. Norman Wright, of Sydney, has won a tenor championship of New Zealand, and has recorded for the Columbia Gramophone Company ; Mrs. Wm. Ritchie ( formerly Miss Laura Wright) won the A.N.A. contralto championship in Melbourne; whilst the oldest member, Lydia (Mrs. C. Cane, now in N.Z.) won the violin championship at South Street when 17 years of age. Last year Mrs. and Mr. Wright celebrated their golden wedding. Both of the old folk are intensely musical, and it has been said that the voice of the mother, although entirely untrained, showed in her earlier days glimpses of the beautiful quality which made Melba famous. Andre Navarre does not propose leaving the Continent for some time. Recently he was offered a 12 months' contract to sing in London for £2500 but on the advice of Melba and his coach, it was refused on the grounds that yet another 12 months' French study was necessary to ensure absolute perfection. That "Alex " has lost none of his school-boy wit is evinced by his own jocular remark that he has "a top C sharp that will crack every window in the Sydney Town Hall!" (Horsham Times, 20 February 1931) "AUSTRALIAN KILLED An Australian, Alexander Wright, radio variety star, who toured Europe and Australia under the pseudonym of Navarre, was killed during a recent air raid in a Midland . town. His broth-er, Frank Wright, is musical director for the London County council."(Border Morning Mail, 22 Oct 1940) Black and white image of Smeaton born Alexander Wright whose professional name was Navarre "Prince of Mimics". alexander wright, alec wright, navarre -
Federation University Historical Collection
Newsclip, H.W. Lempriere, Hepburn First Settlers in Ballarat Colonisation
Image of a newsclip on the Hepburn family of Smeatonjohn hepburn, elizabeth hepburn, smeton, major mitchell, david coghill, squatters, learmonth brothers, smeaton house, chatham holmes collection, charlott plains, kerrin's bridge