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

Letter to Mr D Egan from C Duggan for Manager - Public Relations - Australia Post, dated 23 February 1983. Letter mentions the history of the Long Gully Post Office. There are many gaps in the history. Mentioned are the number of letters, newspapers, Money Orders, telegrams, mail articles, postal notes and expenditure. Values of money orders, telegrams and postal notes are mentioned. Postmasters/mistresses were P Pentreath, A Pentreath, Amelia Daniel, Mrs S A Wilcock, Mark H Webb, William J H Read, Mrs Elsie Anderson, Sydney Gordon Dawson, John Henry Bennett, Miss Margaret Mulvey, John Henry Bennett, Henry William Purchase, Mr R F Warren, Mrs Margaret Cecily Kennedy, Edward Charles Landers, Mrs Margaret Landers, Shirley Egan, Brian Matthew Egan and Shirley and Max Volk.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - postal history of long gully, australia post, mr d egan, p pentreath, a pentreath, amelia daniel, mrs s a wilcock, mark h webb, william j h read, mrs elsie anderson, sydney gordon dawson, john henry bennett, miss margaret mulvey, henry william purchase, mr r f warren, mrs margaret cecily kennedy, edward charles landers, mrs margaret landers, shirley egan, brian matthew egan, shirley and max volk, c duggan

Congues and Mowlam families Images of two families who lived in Cruikshank Street from the 1930s to 1950s. .13 - St Joseph's debutantes with partners, 1947 families, congues family, mowlam family, barbara gardiner nee hegarty, elva mason nee mowlam, pat frisby nee mowlam, carmel mowlam nee congues, albert 'tich' mowlam, william (bill) hegarty, russel hegarty, marlene mcpherson nee hegarty, graham taylor, beverley horton, peter congues, john (johnnie) congues, moira congues, gus congues, leo congues, noel congues, ruby congues, walter congues, ray congues, ollie congues, vin congues, myrtle congues, maisie congues, molly congues, margaret congues, lorna congues, denis 'dinny' congues, con frisby, joyce laidlow davis, joan bath, lorraine murphy, shirley mallet, pat ryan, carmel mills, mary dawson, shirley payne, ilena burke, gavin harrison, george cunningham, queenie cunningham, judith cunningham, norma davis, jack davis, charlie harrison, religion - roman catholic church (st josephs)

A group of Australian soldiers in Egypt during World war one. The card was written on by Trooper William West. Front: Taken at Hat Armusca Sinai Egypt Verso: (Illegible) Sinai Egypt, January 26, 1917 The nine members of our mess. Reading from left to right. 1. Cpl G. McDonald. 2. Trooper J. Ayre 3. Trooper A. Allanson. 4. Trooper W. West. 5. Trooper B. Thorpe 6. Trooper A. Dawson. 7. Trooper R. Wilson. 7. Trooper N. W. Calmon. 8. Trooper Reg Cuttinson. Taken at Hat Arnusca. Billiewilliam west, world war, world war one, egypt, sinai, troopers, horses, mcdonald, allanson, west, thorpe, dawson, wilson, calman, cullinan, mmm

Yields information about one of Ballarat's bogie trams at Dawson St and in particular one of the roof advertisements that were well written to catch attention.Black and White photograph of No. 40 using the crossover at Dawson St. The tram has the destination of Lydiard St Nth and has a Eureka Roof Tiles and Bliss Bombs (To read pack: Tilt Tram") roof advertisement. 2nd copy added 13/4/2009, ex Bill Scott Donation.Stamped on rear in black ink "Donated to BTPS by and Photo By" / "Chris Wurr 12 Truscott Street, Ararat 3377 (053) 52 3403. Copy 2 - Stamped on rear "Photo by Chris Wurr 12 Truscott Street, Ararat 3377 (053) 52 3403", a "William F Scott" address label in the bottom right hand corner and in ink "Ballarat Trmys (SEC) / No. 40 negotiates the Dawson St shunt to head back to Lydiard St North/ Jan 1971" and "purchased 5.93"tramways, trams, sturt st, dawson st, bliss bombs, tram 42

Yields information about the personal views of the Ballarat tramway system and his photographs. Has a strong association with the author of the article.Copy of the Australian Railway Enthusiast - Vol 29, No. 4, December 1991, which has a front cover photograph of No. 40, west bound in Sturt St at intersection with Doveton St. (Photo by Glen Mills), centre page spread "Brisbane Traction Memories" - four photographs by Mick Morahan, a four page article with photographs by Chris Wurr "Ballarat Tramway Tribute "and on the inside rear page, a photograph of Elizabeth St. Hobart and King William St. Adelaide with trams. Ballarat Photographs: Page 14 - No. 31 at Mount Pleasant terminus Page 15 - No. 12 crossing Albert St. Sebastopol (has Skipton St. in the photo caption) Page 16 - No. 40 on the Dawson St. Crossover Page 16 - No. 26 and 27 crossing at the Bell St. Loop Page 17 - No. 17 at Sturt and Lydiard Sts Page 17 - Two trammies having a chat. Map of Ballarat provided by BTPS Ltd on page 15.trams, tramways, ballarat, recollections, lydiard st, sturt st, sebastopol

Yields information the buildings, buildings and scene in Sturt St looking west from Grenville St.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a postcard - titled "Sturt St Ballarat", looking west along Sturt St from Grenville St., Valentine Series 1499. Wal notes "old type on left, present No. 26 on Right with Sebastopol type in background. In the photo are advertisements or buildings for: Reed and William, Thornton for photos, S&N Sior, W Brown & Co, Cycle and Motor, Singer, Bailey Bros Cash Butchers, Geo White, Robur Tea, Davies Bread, Carlyon's Hotel and Richmond Wal has dated the photo about 1930 on his album notes. For rear of postcard - see image i2.In bottom right hand corner has the "2 Vic Rail Photo".trams, tramways, esco, sturt st, dawson st, tram 26

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits