The golf tournament evolved from the P'boro Power Boat Race. The tournament is still a big event on the Peterborough Golf Club calendar. The Cup records the winners of the actual boat race, including the name of the winning boat and the skipper from 1949 to 1962. The winners were: 1949 Won by Albie Affleck Skipper HT Grimwade. 1950 Won by Lady Emma Skipper DC Moore, 1951 Aunt Spee Skipper A W Moore, 1952 JB Skipper J W Bartlam, 1953. Cynic Skipper HT Grimwade, 1954 Tom Thumb Skipper CR Chirnside, 1955 Nipper Skipper PW Coy, 1956 Typhoon Skipper LG Tabart 1957 Lady Nelson skipper DC Moore, 1958 - 1959 The Sea Moore Skipper F Moore, 1960 Cutty Sark Skipper RA Chirnside, 1961 Sweep Skipper S Joyce, 1962 scum skipper WM HolbeachThis honour board is significant because it records the winners over time of the event, but also because it is a link with the original boat race, which was a major fun event over summer in the town.A shield shaped wooden plaque with a metal scroll at the top and metal engraved shield shape in the centre of the board, surrounded by numerous smaller shield shapes, each engraved with the names of the winners and the date. Also a cup with shield shaped plaques around the base to record the winners.Central plaque inscribed thus: THE SCHOMBERG CUP THE OFFICERS OF THE PPBC 1949 Admiral Desmond C. Moore, Captain Wocca Moore Chief Engineer Andy Chirnside Boson John Wiber Chief Petty Officer (Later Mutinously & illegally self appointed Tinny Grimwade Lieutenant Commander) Ships Cat Tom Austin Master at Arms I Barty (Mr. Bartlam) II Brigadier Tinsley III Mark Howard Sub Lieutenant Gitchie Calvert Jnr Boson II Moyle Breton Chief Writer Jonnie Moore peterborough, golf tournament, the schomberg cup, peterborough golf club

Bowie knife, presented to or ordered by Charles John Dennys. Charles John Dennys (1818-1898) arrived from England in 1842 and set up a wool-broking business in 1852 with his cousin Thomas Allen Lascelles and Edward Walton. This became Dennys, Lascelles Ltd and later Dennys, Lascelles, Austin and Co. after prominent grazier Sidney Austin joined the firm in 1881. Dennys was appointed Secretary of the District Council of Grant in 1843 and was elected to the South Barwon municipal council in 1857 ("The Bay, Barwon and Beyond", pp.12-13). The donor is the great grand daughter of Charles Dennys; she found the knife whilst cleaning out an aunt's house and has no knowledge of its provenance. Many bowie knives were exported to America from Sheffield, where a number of manufacturers began making them in the 1800s. This style of knife dates typically from the mid 1800s.Bowie knife made by Morton & Davis, Sheffield and owned by Charles John Dennys (1818-1898), co-founder of the woolbroking firm Dennys, Lascelles Ltd. Bowie knife made by Morton & Davis, Sheffield and owned by Charles John Dennys (1818-1898), co-founder of the woolbroking firm Dennys, Lascelles Ltd.STANLEY / MORTON & DAVIS / CELEBRATED BOWIE KNIFE / SHEFFIELD ASK FOR NOTHING / BUT what is / RIGHT / SUBMIT TO NOTHING THAT IS / WRONG CHARLES JOHN DENNYS.dennys, mr charles john

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This photograph is of Gertrude Foord (1885-1968), an aunt on the Hamilton-Smith family tree. Much of the needlework and textiles in the Hamilton-Smith collection belonged to Gertrude. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history.Black and white studio portrait photograph of a woman dressed in early 1900s dress, mounted on card.Handwritten inscription in bottom centre: "Love from/Gertrude". photograph, family photographs, photo, 1900s, edwardian, studio portrait, portrait

Photograph of the Greensborough Football Club, premiers of the Diamond Valley Football League in 1927. This photograph is a record of those involved with the club in a Premiership year 1927.Framed sepia photograph of Greensborough Football Club, players and staff 1927. Timber frame. On back, in black ink: "Property of Shirley Margaret Black [address] (via Mrs Ivy McDowell) dec. Great aunt Greensborough." On front [back row] A Roy, Sec. P.Cummins. A.Purcell. R.Maurer C.Oakley. V.Clough. [second row] H.Jennings,Timekeeper. D.McDowell. E.Lines. A.Langford. J. Whitlock L.Collard H.Burkett W.Franklin, Vice-President. W. Reed. [first row] A.Hood, Trainer. W.Santon J.Simpson. R.Bennett. S.Creese, Captain. E.Godwill. W.Godwill. W.Stock. H.Collard, Trainer. [front row] F.King L.Roy, Boundary H.Collard, Vice-Captaingreensborough football club, diamond valley football association

William Smerdon Holmes married Violet Mary Macfie (1859 – 1942) on 9 April 1890 at Geelong. William and Violet lived at "Sauchieburn", Ascot on the 291 ha (720 acre) property that William inherited from his aunt Catherine Coghill (nee Holmes). William and Violet Holmes had four children: • Violet Catherine (1891- 1949) married Samuel Gordon Spittle 11 August 1920; Mary Coghill (1892 - 1979); • William Edward (1894 - 1964) married Charlotte Anne Alexander 20 June 1933; • Henry Smerdon (1897 - 1954) married Edith Sarah Pickford 28/2/1922. William Smerdon Holmes was the grandfather of Henry John (Jack) Holmes (1922-1972) William Smerdon Holmes (1927-1993), David Coghill Holmes (1929-1950) and Mary Elizabeth Chatham (Elizabeth) (nee Holmes) (1932 - 2006). William Smerdon Holmes died in June 1914 and is buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery. A black and white photograph glued into card. It shows a moustached man in coat, collar, tie and tie-pin. It is William Smerdon Holmeschatham family archive, chatham, holmes, william holmes, william smerdon holmes, ascot, sauchieburn

In 1938, Robin Boyd's grandfather Arthur Merric Boyd offered Robin his first commission, a studio for Robin's first cousin Arthur Boyd on the family property at Murrumbeena. This painting by Arthur Boyd was part of Ralph Madder’s estate and inherited by his daughter, Patricia, Robin Boyd's wife. Ralph Madder (1892 - 1986) was Arthur Boyd’s uncle and employed the young Arthur in his calcimine paint factory and bought the occasional painting to help the young artist. This painting dates from a later time when Arthur was living with, and looking after, his aged grandfather Arthur Merric at Rosebud (see the book “The Boyds” by Brenda Niall pages 188-9). “Wheat fields behind Rosebud” did not come to 290 Walsh Street until after Ralph Madder’s death in 1986. Note: Robin Boyd's uncle Merric Boyd (1888-1959) married Patricia’s aunt Doris Gough. This means that Arthur Boyd was a first cousin to both Robin Boyd and Patricia Madder. Landscape in gold wooden frameA.M.B Boyd 1938 on lower right hand sidearthur boyd, arthur merric boyd, robin boyd, walsh st artwork, ohm2022, ohm2022_1

Braco Park Guest House was owned by the aunts of Sir Keith Murdoch, Eliza and Grace. It became a Red Cross convalescent Home for nurses in 1918.It was sold to Mrs. Techow and renamed "Clovelly" in 1920. It had been the Murdoch sisters' guest house, Braco Park, that originally introduced Prime Minister Billy Hughes to the hills. Walter Murdoch's nephew Keith Murdoch, a young parliamentary reporter for the Age, took Hughes and several other politicians up there before the war. Keith's father had been a friend of the previous PM, Andrew Fisher. Keith Murdoch was sent to London as a reporter in 1915, and developed an influential relationship with Hughes who bought a small farm in Sassafras, and ran some of the business of government there during the war and after. Acquired by The Education Department about 1985, the Sherbrooke Community School was built, with the Clovelly house being stripped back to its frame and renovated to form the main building of the school. An existing cottage on the site is also used. B & W postcard showing the front view of Braco Park with another small building to the RHS. Newly planted garden in the front.The Rose Series P. 106. "BRACO PARK" SASSAFRAS, VICTORIA.braco park, clovelly, guest house, murdoch, sherbrooke community school

Gloria PETYARRE (c.1942 - 2021) Born: Mosquito Bore, Utopia, Northern Territory Language Group: Anmatyerre Community: Utopia, Northern Territory Gloria Petyarre's depiction of the Kurrajong bush medicine leaves with her layered, swirling brushstrokes is her iconic motif. In 1999 Gloria Petyarre became the first Indigenous Australian artist to win the 'Wynne Prize for Landscape' at the New South Wales Gallery. She is credited with being the creator of this popular style, which was adopted and adapted by several generations of her family members over Gloria's retirement in 2019. The artistic tradition in Utopia started in the Utopia Women's Silk Batik Group introduced in 1977. Gloria Petyarre and her aunt Emily Karne Kngwarrye were found members of this group. Gloria Petyarre started painting on canvas in 1988 with her brushstrokes and layered paint having foundations in the batik tradition. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Utopian Art Movement‘Bush Medicine Dreaming’ depicts the leaves of a special plant that is used to aid in the healing process. The leaves are collected and then boiled to extract the resin. Following this, the resin is mixed with kangaroo fat collected from the kangaroo’s stomach. This creates a paste that can be stored for up to six months in bush conditions. This medicine is used to heal cuts, wounds, bites, rashes and as an insect repellent. The Dreaming that is the basis for Petyarre’s paintings comes from the important ceremonies and traditions held by the people of Atnwengerrp. art, artwork, gloria petyarre, aboriginal, utopia

Sepia postcard with a view of Yarra Glen taken from the east on the railway line adjacent to the Healesville Rd. The view extends from the railway station to Point Pleasant and includes Victoria Hall, the Grand Hotel and Mrs Roberts' house.On back of postcard at the top "POST CARD". On the left hand side "THIS SPACE MAY BE USED FOR PRINTED OR WRITTEN MATTER". On the right hand side "ONLY THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN HERE". In a box in the right hand corner "A HALF-PENNY STAMP TO BE PLACED HERE". Along the left hand margin "Ajax series. Printed in England". COPY 2: Also has handwritten on back "March 5th 1929 Mount Wise, Yarra Glen. Our dear Lorna Lesley, Melbourne. Just a [few]lines to wish you a happy birthday, fancy tomorrow you will be nine years old. It only seems like nine months since you were a wee baby. When you are just as old again you will be a young lady, quite grown up. Thank Mum for her letter this morning. It is very good to take the ladies out. Lots of love to you from all of us; Love to Dad & Mum too, Your loving Aunt F..." COPY 3: Also has handwritten on the back "To Dear Aunt Charlotte, Martha. Lottie & all the boys with love & best wishes for a Happy & prosperous New Year from Cousin. (In another hand and ink) G Keets Yarra Glen.hotel, yarra glen, railway line, point pleasant, grand hotel, victoria hall, post and rail fence, mt wise, mount wise

Bendigo Operatic Society ''The Countess Maritza'' for Five Nights Commencing Friday 25th November 1966 at the Capital Theatre, View Street. Producer: Mr. Cid Ellwood - Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen - Assistant Producer, Ballet Mistress and Wardrobe Mistress: Miss Madge Welch - Society Pianist and Chorus Mistress: Mrs. Gwen Grose. Cast in Order of Appearance: Bert Donovanas Cheko (Butler to Countess Maritza) - Brian Axford as Berko (Peasant in Love with Manya) - Terry Carr as Josef (Peasant at Maritza's Estate) - Nigel Wright as Akos (Peasant at Maritza's Estate) - Ruth Iredale as Manya (Gypsy Fortuneteller) - Leonard Carr as Belo Torok (Alias Count Tassilo) - Reginald Boromeo as Captain Karl Stephen (Tassilo's Friend) - Ferd Lorenz as Prince Koloman Zoupan - Valerie McCracken as Countess Maritza - Rhonda Osborne as Ilka Grasuvenko (Friend of Maritza) - Patricia McCracken as Countess Lisa Erody (Sister of Count Tassilo) - Fred Trewarne as Baron Moritz Dragomir Populescu (Mayor of Verasdin) - Joan Crane as Baroness Bozena Populescu (Aunt of Tassilo) - Nigel Wright as Penizek (Her Secretary) - Brian Axford as Raimund - Joan Mellis as Sari - Yvonne Hopkins as Mitzi.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

HOSKING AND HUNKIN COLLECTION: Small Bible inside envelope. On Binder: New Testament Inside front cover: This Book Belongs to Ellen Nancarrow November 8th 1857 Redruth Coomb Inside second page: This is a present given to Emily Hoskong by her Aunt Helen a a token of Love November 1860. Bible Details: The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ translated out of the original Greek and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majestiy's special Command appointed to be read in Churches. Oxford prineted at the Univerity Press for the British and Froreign Bible Society, instituted in London in the year 1804; and sold to Subscribers at the Society house Earl Street, Blackfriers, London. Diamond's 48's 1856. Cum Privilegio Note inside BibleBible given to Emily Hosking (m. Emmanuel Hunkin) from her aunt Ellen (Nancarrow) Redruth Coomb. 8 Nov 1860 prior to sailing to Victoria. Nancarrow = Valley of the Stags. On front of envelope: Her New Testament a precious possesion. Bible given to Emily Hosking (b. 12-2-1854 d. 22-5-1905) by her mother's sister Ellen Nancarrow (b 17 Mar 1827 husband Wm Hosking m. 1853 Rev. John Cornwall Wm. D. 10 July 1914) in 1860 8th Nov before leaving for Australia. Liven and mined at Eaglehawk, Vic. Then Rushworth area (farming) Emblen Hosking nee Nanacarrow RedruthCoomb Cornwall b. 6/3/1831 d. 20/5/1895 Gobarup. Rear of envelope: Yellow and black stickers (Women with flowers and Man with Scythe, and St. Piran's) written on 'Cornish Patron Saint's day - 5th March. Address Label: Ms Betty Night, 29 Gilbertson Street Essendon Vic 3040 Separate page of Notes: A note in the front of Hymn Book Emily Hosking born 12/2/1854 married 1873 her book. A reward - The Bible Christian Sabbath School, Sailors Gully June 29th 1868. Hyms - Bible Christian 2nd edition 1890. Bible Christian Book Room 26 Paxxxx Road E.C. Mrs E. Hunkin Eaglehawk B.C. Church January 21st (18) 94 Husband Emmanuel Huskin born 21/1/1852 - collection of hymns Wesley hymns Emmanuel Hunkin. 2. A collection of hymns Emmanuel Hunkin, Eaglehawk Bendigo.book

Gordon Hall was the first public building in Buchan. European settlement first entered the area in October 1838 and Buchan station was established in January 1839. Free selection after 1868, and a township was proclaimed in 1873 taking its name from the station. The Grand ball was held on race night, Monday 28th December 1896 in the Gordon Hall at Buchan. From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert)This item reflects the recreational / social activities of a remote rural community. A public event such as a grand ball would have been a significant event on the calendar.Small, cream-coloured rectangular card with rounded edges and blank ink. Evidence of pin holes in each four corners and folds/signs of wear. Card is foxing and has small vertical tear in lower left quadrant.+ GORDON x HALL, x BUCHAN. + / Race Night! - Race Night! / A GRAND BALL / Will be held in the Gordon Hall, Buchan, on / Monday, : 28th : December, : 1896. / ADMISSION : / +- SINGLE, THREE SHILLINGS -+grand ball, 1896, gordon hall, buchan, elsie cooke

This dress is a 'Dolly Varden' or 'shepherdess" style costume worn by Ida Annie Wallace (1890-1976) on a sea voyage to China accompanying her parents in 1911. The BHS has a photo of Ida wearing this dress when she was a guest at a dance for young people given by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne (possibly T. J. Davey). This party may have been held on the ship or it may have been a seperate event. This style dress was a popular choice for fancy dress in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The style is named after the character Dolly Varden in Charles Dickens, 'Barnaby Rudge' 1841. Around 1872, Dolly Varden-inspired costumes and paraphernalia were very a popular craze. Family information states that the silk for this dress was purchased by Ida and Marjorie's grandfather's sister (great aunt) in England circa 1840. The dress was donated by Marjorie Wallace (1901-1999), Ida's sister. Marjorie did not accompany the family to China, but stayed home with a governess. Marjorie lived in Brighton between 1923 and circa 1950 and attended Firbank Church of England Girls Grammar School.A dress consisting of bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The bodice is made from beige silk with sprays of red and blue flowers and originally laced down the centre front with pink ribbon. The lower part of the bodice is modelled on a late 18th century polonaise design. The bodice is boned and features waist tapes. The elbow length sleeves are finished with beige hand made Maltese lace featuring Maltese crosses. The mid calf length skirt is made from pale pink silk which has been quilted and lined to create a stiffened form. Also with the dress is a piece of scrap floral fabric (.3) that is the same as the bodice fabric.dolly varden, marjorie wallace, barnaby rudge, charles dickens, fancy dress, ida annie wallace

This ticket was for a grand ball to celebrate the second anniversary of the Loyal Orbost M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge. It was held in the Mechanics Institute hall on Friday 20th July, 1888. The cost of a single ticket was 5/-. The secretary of the lodge was John Rowe, the first teacher of the state school in Orbost. From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref Mary Gilbert) Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows (MUIOOF) had its origins in Manchester, England. It was established in Melbourne on 7 December 1840 when Augustus Greeves, a member of the MUIOOF in England, migrated to Australia and formed the first friendly society. In 1840 Manchester Unity IOOF was founded in Victoria. Friendly Societies were founded in the Australian Colonies in the mid-19th Century by immigrants from England who had been members in Societies which dated back to the 18th Century. Like all working people these immigrants experienced sickness, accidents, unemployment, death and burial. They needed help of like fellows to tide their families over these times. So they formed a branch of one of the Friendly Societies back in the mother country. The idea was to make fixed contributions to a fund and when they were off work they would receive a payment. When they died funeral benefits would be paid and the widow and children would be cared for. It was a form of local insurance for hard times. This was a time of 'look after yourself' as the Colonial Governments did not provide pensions or benefits. This item reflects those times.A small white rectangular paper ticket with black print. It is for the Loyal Orbost Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Grand Ball.front - "Dancing to Commence at 8pm."public-event-orbost document-ticket m.u.i.o.o.f

This photograph was donated by Mrs Howard whose aunt, Dorothy Christian, attended Lauriston from 1904 to 1908. Lauriston’s very first sports photograph is in 1905, of our students standing with their hockey sticks to mark their participation in the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association. Hockey was without doubt the “Queen of Games” at Lauriston during the school’s early decades. The school’s founders Miss Margaret and Miss Lilian Irving were firm believers in the character-building nature of team sports and were instrumental in establishing hockey as a competitive sport for girls in Melbourne. Lauriston’s founders Lilian Irving one of the two sisters who founded Lauriston, saw hockey played in England and brought the game back to Melbourne. Lilian arranged for the first girls inter-school hockey match, between Lauriston and Ruyton in 1903. Her sister Margaret subsequently joined with Mary Morris of Melbourne Girls’ Grammar to establish the Girls’ Schools’ Hockey Association in 1905. The Association organised regular competitions between schools. Hockey dominated Lauriston’s sporting life until well into the 1950s, with regular class, house, inter-school, and staff-student matches. B & W photo 14 x 18.7 cm, mounted on brown card, with inscription in white ink “Lauriston Hockey Eleven 1905”. Underneath the photograph on the mount are names of the players in three rows according to the arrangement in the photograph. The students standing in the back row are N. Stewart’ G. Mogg, D. Elder, M. Elliott (Captain), J. Tuthill, C. McWhae and E. Stewart. The students knelling in the middle row are S. Mitchell (emergency), M. Rigby, and J. Mitchell. The two students sitting at the front are D. Christian and R. Stewart.Lauriston Hockey Eleven - 1905 N. Stewart, G. Mogg, D. Elder, M. Elliot (capt) J. Tuthill C. McWhae E. Stewart S. Mitchell (emer.) M. Rigby J. Mitchell D. Christian R. Stewart

Maker unknown. This blanket was part of the standard army issue kit and belonged to Lois Denshams father, who served at Gallipoli during the first world war. Before donating the blanket to the Running stitch collection, it was kept by Lois' Aunty Nita. Lois remembers that it was kept in her fathers original kit bag and kept at her aunts place because of sad memories about the war which her mother found difficult. The humble army blanket had many uses during war times. Issued with two blankets, it was all a soldier had as a bed to keep warm or without a tent, all they had to provide shelter from the sun, rain or wind. (They were supplemented with a woollen army 'great coat', but soldiers still had to huddle together as keeping warm and dry was a desperate game.) The Lighthorsemen used them under their standard leather saddles for extra padding and in the hospitals they were sometimes the only bedding for the wounded. This blanket belonged to Lois Denshams' father who served in the Australian Army in the First World War, landing at Gallipoli. Since the war, army blankets have come to be regarded as the basic type of blanket -no frills. This blanket was used in the Densham family since that time for camping trips.Grey woollen army blanket with stripes near either ends.world war i, running stitch group, running stitch collection

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This scrapbook album belonged to Ilma Margaret Ernestine Haeusler (née Tasker), born in 1900 in Tallangatta. Ilma died in childbirth in 1928, leaving her husband Louis Alfred Haeusler (b.1878), and one surviving son, John Alfred Lyell (b.1922). The scrapbook was gifted to Ilma from her Aunt and contains Tasker family photographs, and postcards and greeting cards Ilma received in the 1910s-1920s.This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history and women's history.An olive green photographic album with a red, green and yellow floral motif on the front cover. First page inside front cover, handwritten pencilled inscription: "Ilma Margaret Ernestine Tasker/ To Ilma/with love/from Auntie Annie/wishing her a happy/Birthday". album, scrapbook, family, family album, wodonga, haeusler, haeusler collection, photographs, photograph, postcard, christmas card

Series of Black & White Images depicting life for the Hill Family and Friends During 1922 Post War Boom. Total 5 Photos. Ladies Day Out: Alma, Kitty, Lorna Claire & Eileen, all the ladies are dressed in white, lady at front wears dark stockings others are wearing white stockings and shoes, first two are standing on the steps and the others are on the verandah, two stone pillars with garden pots on them, Window of house to the left and curtains hanging inside, 'The Ranche' March 1922. (Aunt Mabel) Sister M. Alphonsus, dressed in dark habit with rosary hanging from her waist, arms crossed, standing in archway covered with vine, to right a spire can be seen. Uncle Percy in South America with Fox Terrier, holding a gun in his left hand, garden setting with palm trees. Frank, dressed in black suit white shirt and dark tie with his hands around a Hound Dog enjoying some R&R. Ken with his tennis racquet, in his dark coloured uniform white shirt and dark tie, standing between two chairs holding a tennis racquet and ball, both chairs have a white cloth backing, left chair with object on seat and large vase on the ground, trellis to the right, weatherboard to the left and shrub.Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, post war life

Programme of the Bendigo Operatic Society. A Musical Play by Rodgers & Hammerstein ''Oklahoma'' Produced by Norman Lee. Capital theatre Bendigo Opening Friday 14th July 1961 for six Nights. Cast in Order of Appearance: Gertrude Perry as Aunt Eller - Harry Brewer as Curly - Dawn Beckwith as Laurey - Leonard Carr as Ike Skidmore - Peter Houston as Fred - Gerald Gleeson as Slim - Bryan Brewer as Will Parker - Brian Thomas as Jud Fry - Annette Wilson as Ado Annie Carnes - Alfred Annison as Ali Hakim - Wendy Griffiths as Gertie - Emily Westgarth as Ellen - Joan Crane as Viviene - Carol McKenzie as Faye - Ailleen Simmonds as Virginia - Patricia McCracken as Suzanne - Frederick Trewarne as Andrew Carnes - Reginald Boromeo as Cord Elam - Gerald Hayward as Ed - Victor White as Mike - Peter Haines as Jud (In Ballet) - Terry Carr as Curly (In Ballet) - Bronwen Townsend as Laurey (In Ballet). Musical Director: Max O'Loghlen. Society Pianist: Mrs. P.House. Ballet Mistress: Miss M.Welch. Synopsis: ''Oklahoma'' is a musical based on Lynn Rigg's play ''Green Grow the Lilacs''. The Story is set in Indian Territory just after the turn of the century and revolves around the lives of Curly, a cowboy, and Laurey. Laurey is in love with Curly, but to make him jealous pretends to be attracted to Jud fry. Everything is settled at the Annual Box Social.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

This dress was donated as having belonged to Annie Elizabeth McLean, who worked as a maid to the daughters of Samuel Renwick of Caulfield. Annie was born in Argyllshire, Scotland in 1853. This dress appears to have been originally made circa 1855 and then modified circa 1872. As Annie would only have been two years old in 1855, this indicates that the dress would most probably have been originally made for someone else and later acquired by Annie. Annie Elizabeth McLean arrived in the Colony of Victoria from Argyllshire, Scotland with her aunts and cousins in 1867, aged thirteen and a half. She had been educated in Scotland and eventually became a personal maid and then companion to the Renwick girl, daughters of Samuel Renwick of Caulfield, Victoria. The Renwicks' home, 'The Garrell' on Glen Eira Road, was one of Caulfield's earliest residences, having been built around 1854. Samuel was a business partner of William Kerr Thomson, a well-known Brighton resident and the original occupant of the North Road mansion 'Kamesburgh'. During her time with the Renwick family, Annie travelled with them to England, then to Scotland, then back to Victoria. She left the family upon the marriage of the youngest Renwick daughter, then went to the household of Sir William and Lady McCullough until she left to be married to Alfred John Ashfold in 1878.This c1872 grey and white silk pin stripe dress features a high round neckline with eleven decorative blue silk buttons and secured by a concealed line of fifteen hook and eyelet closure. The bodice (.1) has decorative blue and green braid over the shoulder and bust and across the base of the bodice. The dress features three darts shaping the dress to the body. The sleeve is cut high but relatively full and tapers to the elbow then flares again in Pagoda like style but ends at the wrist or hand. The skirt (.2) opens over the left hip and features a pocket over the right hip. The skirt at the front finishes at the ankle or just above the ground. At the back the bodice features panels shaping the dress into the body and pleated and flared from the waist. At the small of the back is a decorative bow with pinked edges and decorative braid. The skirt at the back is uncommon in shape most likely as the result of modification. It appears to have had panels removed reducing its original fullness. It has a tape inside the back of the skirt that would draw the skirt in creating a bustle like shape . It would appear that the dress had been modified in order to create a more fashionable silhouette most probably in circa 1872. There are three separate pieces of fabric. One is made up into a semi-circular over-skirt trimmed with blue braid and fringing (.3). Two pieces are unpicked skirt gores, one still has its cotton lining attached (.4 and .5).annie elizabeth mclean, samuel renwick, the garrell, caulfield

Mary Halls "Minnie" Crabb (1885-1974) was the niece of the first librarian (May Harrison) for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers. After her aunt's death in 1912, Miss Crabb took on the role of librarian for the constantly expanding collection. In 1934, the Victorian Association of Braille Writers annual report advised that it had acquired a Crabb-Hulme Braille Printing Press. Two years in development, the Press was designed by Miss Crabb and built to her specifications by Mr Hulme. Invented to produce ephemeral material quickly, such as programs, catalogues and newsletters, it provided more opportunities for information to be quickly sent out to Braille readers. The daughter of James Hall Crabb, who ran the Prahran Telegraph from1882 until his death and the niece of J.M. Yelland who took over the paper until he sold it in 1895, Minnie would have seen printing presses in her youth and recognised the usefulness when producing large numbers of ephemeral materials. In March 1944, Miss Crabb retired from the library, in 1956 she married Charles Foster and she lived until in the St Kilda area until her passing in 1974, aged 89. This iconic image of Miss Crabb using the press has appeared in many reports since.High quality image of Minnie Crabbvictorian association of braille writers, minnie crabb

This concert was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Friday, October 16th, 1891 commencing at 8pm. A dance was held after the concert. The secretary at that time was J. McNair. The first Orbost Brass Band was formed in 1889. Around 1908 the town band split and the Orbost Workers' Band was formed. Eventually the two bands merged in 1913 to reform as the Orbost Municipal Band under conductorship of Charles Spink. The band continued for many years but was later disbanded and again reformed. This was to happen a number of times, the last time being in 1961 and continuing through to the late 1970's. Further info and Ref: In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall From the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert)The various Orbost bands over the years played a major role in community activities providing entertainment and musical experiences for the many members.An orange, paper program with black print. The program and details are inside a black frame. It is for a concert in aid of the Orbost Brass Band.At the top handwritten in black pen is" Donated by Mrs Elsie Cooke".orbost-brass-band-programme cooke-elsie

The first Presbyterian Church service was conducted at the Orbost Station Homestead in 1885, during a visit by Sir William Clarke, who was accompanied by two ministers. The organist was resident Grace Jennings Carmichael. Services were later held in Mr J. W. Borland’s shop and the Mechanics Hall. In 1887 the land on which the church now stands was purchased from Mr James Hossack snr, for £50 ($100). The trustees were Mr John, Peter and Hugh Cameron, Mr John A Watt and Mr James Hossack Jnr. Timber from Richardson’s Tabbara Mill was used by builder Mr R. P Cameron and at a cost of £ 311.3.7 ($622) the church was opened January 9th 1898. This item is from the estate of Elsie Cooke. Elsie Cooke was a librarian in Orbost for many years. She was the daughter of John Cooke early Brodribb settler. Elsie Cooke lived all her life in Gippsland,. She was born at Brodribb in 1895 and died in 1970, Elsie Cooke lived at Bruthen for a short time and, in 1937, moved to live with her aunt, Miss Jean Munro. Miss Cooke was Librarian at the Mechanics Institute for many years. Kindness and consideration for other were Miss Cooke’s attributes and she endeared herself to all who knew her. She was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church and a stalwart of the Ladies’ Guild, an energetic worker for the Municipal Auxiliary and a member of the Red Cross. (ref. Mary Gilbert This item is associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. It is an example of early book-keeping and is also associated with Elsie Cooke.Two white paper accounts. They are typed in black and are statements of receipts and expenditure for the Presbyterian Church in Orbost. On one sheet is an alhabetical list of subscribers for the year ending June 30, 1891. On the other is a general account of receipts and expenditure.presbyterian-church-orbost account-book-keeping

John Alfred Lyell "Alf" Haeusler was born on 3rd February 1922, and was the only child of Louis and Ilma Haeusler. He lost his mother Ilma at the age of six and was raised by his father and his Aunt Nellie. He was a quiet lad with a limp, possibly caused by an illness early in life, later diagnosed as polymyositis. As a young boy, Alf was fascinated by electricity and radios. Like his father Louis, Alf had the ability to engineer and fabricate almost anything using humble materials, from mending the broken handle of a teapot, to making a toy xylophone, a homemade crystal radio set or a homemade drill. Alf attended Wodonga West School No.1058 until the eighth grade. Due to his medical condition, in order to avoid the two-mile walk to school, Alf travelled by pony, which was hired from another student, Tom Ardern for sixpence a week. The two boys remained lifelong friends. Tom Ardern died in Wodonga, Victoria on 10th January 1996 and Alf Haeusler died on 5th October 1997. The Haeusler Collection consisting of manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family and a set of glass negatives was bequeathed to the Wodonga & District Historical Society. It offers a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community in the early 20th century.This photo is significant because it depicts an important aspect of the early life of Alf Haeusler of Wodonga.Framed black and white image of two boys on horseback on their way to school.haeusler family of wodonga, thomas ardern, alf haeusler

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Three colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 75, November 1990:] WALTER WITHERS PLAQUE At long last we have unveiled our plaque in the Walter Withers Reserve. The function was attended by a number of members and friends of the Society and descendants of the Withers family. Following the unveiling, the group proceeded to the Eltham Shire Office for afternoon tea and a small exhibition of Withers' paintings arranged by Andrew Mackenzie. The unveiling was performed by Mary Owen, a grand-daughter of Walter Withers. Her speech provided an interesting personal perspective on Withers and is repeated in full here: I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the responsibility of paying tribute to the man you have all come to honour today. I have the feeling that most of you probably know more about him and his work than I do. Walter Withers died nearly seven years before I was born and so I never knew him. Sadly, although other members of his family inherited some of his talent, I was not among them and I know very little about art. This is doubly hard to bear because my husband had some ability to draw and my second daughter also has some talent in this direction. My children are all artistic - mostly in the field of music inherited partly from their father - a Welshman who sang like a Welshman - and partly from my grandmother, Fanny Withers who, I believe was no mean pianist. However all this talent gave me a miss and for many years I felt a complete ignoramus in the fields of the arts. It was not until I was nearly fifty years old that I walked into a gallery in Brisbane and, as I wandered around the room, suddenly one picture leapt at me and I knew instantly that it had been painted by my grandfather. I had never seen the picture before and it gave me quite a shock to find that I had recognized the style of painting. I realized then that I had absorbed more than I realized simply by living with pictures and with people who painted them and talked about their painting and the painting of others. When I was a child I sometimes spent school holidays with my Aunt Margery Withers and her husband, Richard McCann. Aunt Marge painted me several times but I'm afraid I was a restless subject and used to sit reading a book and look up grudgingly when she wanted to paint my eyes. During the September holidays my aunt and uncle were busy preparing paintings far the annual exhibition of the Melbourne Twenty Painters, to which they both belonged. I remember how important I used to feel when they took me along to the Athenaeum Gallery on the Friday night before the opening to help hang their pictures. There were many artists there but the two I remember are perhaps surprisingly both women: Miss Bale and Miss Tweddle. I remember how cold it used to be up in that gallery at night. They used to heat water on a gas ring to make tea and Aunt Marge used to bring sandwiches and fruit for our evening meal. Everyone seemed to be poor in those days and no-one dreamed of going out for a meal. It was a case of make-do - even to cutting down frames to fit pictures or cutting pictures to fit the frames. They had to use the same frames from year to year if the pictures didn't sell. The opening was an exciting event for me. I felt I was privileged to meet important people - people who knew a lot more than I - and Uncle Dick would get quite merry after a couple of the tiny sweet sherries which were always distributed. I realise now that quite a lot of "art talk" rubbed off on me during my visits to the Athenaeum and during my stays with my aunt and uncle. I suspect that much of our most useful learning comes this way and those of us who have had the privilege of associating with artists, writers, philosophers and other thinkers have a richness in our lives of which we may be unaware. Walter Withers was a prolific painter and, although he painted for love of it, I suspect that the need to provide for his family drove him, like Mozart, to greater efforts than he might otherwise have achieved. Reading old letters and articles about the Heidelberg artists, I have come to realize something of the constant strain placed on many of them - particularly Withers and McCubbin - by poverty and the need to make ends meet. Withers was ever conscious of the need to provide for his wife and his five children and there are touching letters to his wife, regretting that he was not able to earn more for them. In addition to his painting, he worked hard at teaching and illustrating and, as he grew older, the strain began to tell and his health deteriorated. He seems never to have had a very strong constitution and suffered from rheumatism, which must have made painting quite painful at times. His eldest daughter, Gladys, was eventually confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and I have a tendency to arthritis myself, so I am particularly aware of what this could have meant to him. Recently I found a short letter written by my mother to her mother, Fanny Withers on the anniversary of her father's birthday in 1919, in which she said: "Poor old Dad, I often think now what a lot he must have suffered. His life was too hard and too strenuous for him. He had too many chick-a-biddies, I think. He wasn't equal to so much town life and train journeys with so many delicacies as he had. Since I have been ill, I have realised what he must have felt like.” He certainly drove himself to produce. He travelled all over Victoria by train, buggy, bicycle and on foot and for a time he travelled from Eltham to Melbourne every day by train, although later he lived in Melbourne during the week and only returned to Eltham for the weekends. My mother died seven years after her father's death, when my twin sisters were 10 days old and I was 16 months. So I never knew my mother or my grandfather. But my two aunts, Gladys and Margery, sometimes took me to stay with Gan Withers at Southernwood in Bolton Street . No cars in those days and it seemed a very long hot and dusty walk from the Station. Three memories remain with me of Southernwood. One is the well at the back which I found quite terrifying; the second is Gan killing a snake - even more terrifying. She was a formidable woman, my grandmother and a great ally and support to her husband. I think she was the business end of the partnership. The third memory of Southernwood is my grandfather's studio – down what seemed like a toy staircase inside the room. This and the big walk-in fireplace stayed in my mind from the age of about six until I saw them again about forty years later when the house was being used as a Sunday School. I just wish that money could be found to purchase this old house for the City of Eltham so that a permanent museum could be established in memory of a man who did so much to put Eltham on the map of art history. Recently I have become interested in family history and spent some time in England, Ireland and Wales looking for traces of my ancestors. I realized then how important it is to have records of people who have contributed to our society. We forget so soon and it is amazing how often, within two generations, names, dates and many details are forgotten. We are fortunate that so many of Walter Withers' works have been bought by galleries and that people like Andrew Mackenzie have taken the trouble to search out people who knew him and to write about him and his work. And I am very grateful to the Historical Society of Eltham for recognizing the importance of having a permanent tribute in Eltham to the contribution made by Walter Withers, who loved Eltham so much and who has assured this lovely district a place in the annals of history. I am indebted to Kathleen Mangan; the daughter of another famous Australian painter , Fred McCubbin, - featured in The Age this morning (thanks again to Andrew Mackenzie) for the most apt tribute to Walter Withers. Kathleen is not well and she rang me a couple of days ago, regretting that she could not be present today “to pay tribute” as she said, “to Walter Withers for I always think Walter Withers is the spirit of Eltham.” Thank you, Kathleen. And now I have much pleasure in unveiling the plaque commissioned by the Eltham Historical Society from Bob McLellan of Charmac Industries to commemorate the life and work of Walter Withers, the spirit of Eltham. Mary Owen, 13 October 1990.Two colour photographswalter withers rock, walter withers reserve, mary owen

The RSS&AILA was the name of the RSL in 1956, called Returned Sailors and Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia. The Australian Imperial Service of Women’s Auxiliary of the RSL was formed by mothers, wives, widows, sisters, daughters and aunts of men who served in the Australian Imperial Forces in the First World War (1914-1918). The auxiliaries grew from this beginning to raise money for the welfare of men and women who served and their widows and families. In Victoria, the RSL Women’s Council of Victoria is headquarters for Auxiliaries throughout Victoria. The aim of Women’s Council is to support the Auxiliaries, in assisting the Returned & Services League to give a helping hand to Service Members, their families and the wider community. RSL Sub-Branches and their Women’s Auxiliaries work together towards the same goals. As of August 2015 there are 64 Women’s Auxiliaries with approximately 1250 members. The Lara Ladies Auxiliary was disbanded in September 1952, due to not enough members to continue the auxiliary (the ladies from the beginning becoming too old – First World War). Those left promised to continue to support the RSL in all its future activities, which the ladies continue to do today as members and Associate members. Here is the last entry, dated 8th September, 1952: “Since our last meeting our President Mrs Marshall has passed away. It was decided that as there is not enough members to continue the Auxiliary the Lara Sub Branch was requested to have the Auxiliary disbanded. Assistance was promised the League by the ladies present in all its futher activities.” There were four present at this meeting. Signed by P. Walker, Hon Secretary and Treasurer.This badge is of historic significance as it represented a badge held by a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the RSL in 1956.A metal circular badge with outer blue rim with words R.S.S.&.A.I.L.A. Women's Auxiliary. Inner gold circle has blue Australian flag. At top of badge is 56.On the reverse side of the badge is the stamped number 6965