THE WEEK REVIEWED (Article; Bush Fires: A pictorial survey of Victoria's most tragic week, January 8-15, 1939. Published in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents, pp2-3) THE fiercest bush fires Australia has known since its discovery are quiescent at the moment, and Victoria, in the comparative coolness of the change which came with rain on Sunday night, has begun·to count its losses. In the fiery eight days, from Sunday to Sunday, at least sixty-six men, women and children have lost their lives in forest fires, or have succumbed to burns and shock; many others have died from heat; and several serious cases of burns are being treated in hospitals. Two babies in Narrandera district have died, and ten others are in hospital, because of milk soured by the record temperatures of those eight days. Forest damage totals at least a million pounds, and incalculable damage has been done to the seedlings which were to have been the forests of the future. Water conservation will be seriously affected by the silting-up of reservoirs and streams from which protective timber has been taken by the all-engulfing flames. More than a thousand houses have been destroyed, and these, with 40 mills, and schools, post-offices, churches, and other buildings, represent a loss of at least half a million. At least 1500 are homeless. For their aid, money raised in appeals has now passed the £50,000 mark, and the biggest relief organisation ever set up in peace time has swung into operation. The First Hint Victoria's first hint of what was to come appeared on Sunday, January 8, when most parts of the State awoke to find a blistering day awaiting. At 12.20 p.m., when the thermometer reached its highest for the day, 109.6 degrees, the first fire victims were at that moment going to their death on a bush track five feet wide off the main road to Narbethong. They were the forestry officers Charles Isaac Demby and John Hartley Barling, who went to warn Demby of his danger when he parted from his companions, and was himself surrounded by the treacherous fire. It was not until 8 o'clock next morning that the tragic news was flashed throughout the State. Searchers found the two charred bodies close together, one seeking protection in the nook of two logs. Barling's watch had stopped at 1.20. In the meantime, tragedy was spreading its cloak. By Monday, big fires were raging at Toolangi, Erica, Yallourn, Monbulk, Frankston, Dromana, Drouin South, Glenburn, and Blackwood, with smaller outbreaks at many other centres. In the ensuing week, while women and children were evacuated as fast as the flames would permit, Erica-scene of the 1926 fire disaster-thrice escaped doom by a change of wind. Indeed, those who have been in the fire country these past days say that the numbers of times a change of wind has saved towns from destruction is amazing. In the towns they speak of miracles. Monday's Miracles The escapes from Monett's Mill at Erica and from the Hardwood Company's Mill at Murrindindi, near where Demby and Barling went to their death, were Monday's miracles. Twenty came out alive from each mill. At the first a 60ft. dugout provided an oven-like refuge; at the second, 12 women and children survived in the smoke-filled gloom of a three-roomed cottage while their eight men, their clothes sometimes afire, poured water on the wooden walls. Three houses out of ten remained when the fire had passed. Record Temperatures Sunday had been the hottest Melbourne day for 33 years; Monday dropped to a 76.1 degree maximum; but Tuesday dawned hotter than ever, the mercury reaching 112.5. By now rumor was racing ahead of fact; whole towns were being reported lost; the alarm was raised for scores of missing persons. But fact soon overtook rumor, and within a few days the staggering toll began to mount to a figure beyond the wildest imaginings of the panic-stricken. Six died from heat on this torrid Tuesday, and the fires spread in a wide swathe from south-west to north-east across the State. Fish died in shallow streams. A curtain of smoke hid the sky from all Victoria, and hung far out to sea. It alarmed passengers on ships. On the Ormonde, on the voyage to Sydney from Burnie, women ran on deck, believing fire had broken out in the hold. Days later the smoke reached New Zealand. In Melbourne thousands of fire-volunteers were leaving in cars: vans, motor-buses-anything reliable on wheels-to aid the country in its grim fight. In the fires at Rubicon and. Narbethong, seventeen were facing death this day. But not till Wednesday, when Melbourne breathed again in a cool change, while the country still sweltered in temperatures up to 117 degrees, did the news come through the tree blocked roads. A woman and her little daughter, trapped on the road, were among those who died. Their bodies, and those of menfolk with them, were found strewn out at intervals along the road, where the furnace of the surrounding fire had dropped them in their tracks as they ran. Twelve died at a Rubicon mill, five on the road at Narbethong. At Alexandra, not far distant, a baby was born while the fires raged, and stretcher-bearers brought in the injured. On Thursday the State Government voted £5000 for the relief of fire victims. The Governor (Lord Huntingfield) and the Lord Mayor (Cr. Coles) visited some of the stricken areas, and dipped into their pockets personally. Later, the City Council, too, voted £5000. Friday, The 13th Friday, the Thirteenth, justified its evil name. A blistering northerly came early in the morning, presaging destruction, and forcing the mercury to a new record of 114 degrees. Racing fires killed at least ten in those terrible 12 hours. Four children were engulfed in the furnace at Colac. Panic drove them, uncontrollable, into the smoke-filled road when the fire raced down behind their home. They choked to death. In other parts fires were joining to make fronts of scores of miles. Kinglake was being menaced on two fronts, £60,000 worth of timber was going up in smoke in Ballarat district. Warburton was surrounded. Residents at Lorne, favoured resort, were being driven to the sea-front by a fire which destroyed at least 20 homes. Healewille. with flames visible from the town at one stage, was in a trough between two fires which burned four guest-houses, seven homes and left its surrounding beauty-spots wastes of bowed-over, blackened tree-fern fronds; with its famous Sanctuary, however, intact. Most of Omeo was destroyed this black day: Noojee. while 200 residents crouched in the river, was being reduced to a waste of buckled iron and smoking timber; Erica was once again saved by a change of wind. Beneath a pall of smoke, the Rubicon victims were buried at Alexandra. Friday night and the early hours of Saturday saw the streets of beleagured towns strewn with exhausted fire-fighters. Their flails beside them, ready for the next call, they lay where exhaustion overtook them-on footpaths, beside lamp-posts, in gutters, in cars, under trucks. Saturday's dawn brought clear skies and lower temperatures in many parts, and from the burnt-out areas came a great rush of tragic reports. The death-roll rushed past the fifty mark with incredible speed. Some had been trapped on roads, others at mills; some, after burying their treasures, had clung too long to the places they had made their homes for many years. Four men lost their lives because one went back for his dog. By Sunday, when the first of the saving rain came, nearly another score of names had been added to the list.Newspaper magazine, 48 pages (incl. covers). Fully digitised and searchable PDFPublished in aid of the Bush Fire Relief Fund by the Sun News-Pictorial in co-operation with its newsagents.bushfires, 1939 bushfires, black friday, warrandyte

This certificate has been designed and drawn by James McKain Meek, one of several produced by him to sell to local families in Warrnambool and district as a means of raising money to support his family. James Meek (1815-1899) was a fish canner, fisherman, fishmonger, storekeeper, café proprietor, explorer, gold digger, accountant, writer, librarian and above all an outstanding calligrapher. After being a pioneer settler in the Ballarat area and residing also in Port Melbourne he came to Warrnambool and lived in the area in the 1850s and 60s. He explored much of the Terang area and the Otway Ranges, speaking and writing of the great potential of the latter area. One of Meek’s calligraphy works won an award in the International Exhibition of Melbourne in 1861 and some of his works are in various art galleries and museums today. Thomas Fidler was a Warrnambool butcher who married Fanny Cockman in 1849 in London.This certificate is of great significance as one of the calligraphy works of James Meek, a 19th century resident of Warrnambool, celebrated today as a talented calligrapher. The certificate was displayed in 2015 in a James Meek exhibition at Ballarat Art Gallery. The item is also of social significance showing how the more affluent 19th century families recorded and preserved their family history. This is a certificate hand drawn by James Meek. It is a template that enables the owner to insert the details of a family tree, in this case the 19th century family of Thomas Fidler and Fanny Cockman. The certificate is in grey and black shadings with highly ornamental scrolls and patterns. The document has been produced in black ink. It has a central column with spaces for names and side tablets to include more information. The side tablets are star-shaped and the central column has attachments of various shapes – circles, rectangles etc. The base of the column has further ornamental scrolls, swirls and lacework and features sketches of three emus on one side and three kangaroos on the other side. The certificate is mounted on white cardboard. Some of the Fidler family names have been produced in printed letters and some names have been added later by a family member. ‘Th. os Fidler’s Family Register 1865’ ‘The Family Keepsake’ ‘A Present For Home’thomas fidler and fanny cockman, james meek, history of warrnambool

The Marching girls activity was prominent in the 1960's and 1970's and had participation rate of around 30000. It was a part of activities such as street parades and town celebrations and local shows. However the girls also competed against other clubs . In this case the badges tell the story of competitions around the district to Ararat, Horsham, Ballarat, Beaufort and Warrnambool. These were owned by Lyn Bristol who was a member of the Warrnambool group. Most clubs had teams in various age groups. A tangible link to a local sport and club in the Warrnambool area. With large numbers of girls participating in the sport it has strong social interest .Yellow satin ribbon sewn to make a V shape rounded at the top. There are approximately 60 badges pinned to the ribbon which relate to marching events . They vary from coloured enamel to plain white and yellow metal . Some have bars at the top and they are engraved on the backs of the badges. The engravings list the different categories of marching girls competitions A number of them have the initials L B on them. They relate to the period of the early to mid 1960's.warrnambool, marching girls, marching girls warrnambool

These catalogues come from the firm of Thomas Lang and Company of 52 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne and Bridge Street, Ballarat. They list the seeds and plants for sale in the early 1870s. This company sold seeds and plants to all parts of Australia and to India, China, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Ceylon and Fiji. These catalogues have no known local provenance but have considerable antiquarian value and are of interest as they tell us what plants and seeds were sold in Australia in the 1870s.These are three booklets - catalogues of plants and seeds for Thomas Lang & Co, Nurserymen and Seedsmen, of Ballarat and Melbourne. The booklets are printed in black on a white background and are bound or stitched with fine string. They are a little foxed and dog-eared. Catalogue One is dated 1870 and is numbered No. 27. The cover has an ornamental border. Catalogue Two is dated October 1871 and is Number 36. Catalogue Three is Number 30 but undated and contains prices of seeds and current postal rates.thomas lang & co.,, nurserymen and seedsmen, plant and seed catalogues, 1870s, warranmbool, history

This booklet has been produced to advertise the tours offered by the Gibson’s Bus Services in Warrnambool in the late 1930s or early 1940s. The office of this bus service was situated in the Commercial Bank Buildings in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. This booklet is of interest because it shows the type of bus tours offered to Warrnambool people in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The tours were to Canberra and Sydney, Mount Gambier, Adelaide, Geelong, Ballarat, the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. The buses could take 11 to 20 passengers. This is a soft cover booklet of eight pages produced as an advertising feature for Gibson’s Bus Services of Warrnambool. The cover has a yellow background with green lines on the edges. There is a sepia-coloured photograph on the front cover of a river scene encased in the shape of a bus and the back cover has three photographs of the buses used by the company. The pages have information on Gibson’s Scenic Tours, Gibson’s Travel Club and the extended and day tours offered by the company. The booklet includes many black and white photographs of places visited on the tours. The booklet is bound with metal staples. gibson’s bus services, history of warrnambool, warrnambool tourism, warrnambool

This item of uniform was own, worn and donated by Major (Retd) Bernard Farley during service in the Army Reserve Infantry at 8/7 Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR) Ballarat VICPolyester trousers with two side pockets, one back pocket, money pocket with belt loops and brass ceremonial belt keepersTag - A.D.I. P/L VIC 1989 ARROW indicating Govt. NSN 8405-66-0185-5522 MACQUARIE 89, Batch C Size. 80RF W.90 L.77 NAME. SERVICE NO. DRY CLEAN ONLY(A) Press on original creases. Use damp cloth. Medium to hot steam iron

Worn by Major Bernard Farley whilst serving at at 8/7 RVR as A company Commander, Support Company Commander 1997-1999, posted to CATDC Capability Development unit at Puckapunyal VIC in 2000 - 2001 Personal uniform item worn by the donatorArmy Slouch Hat with, puggaree, unit badge of 7/8RVR (located on front of Puggaree), Unit colour patch (white over red) located on the pugarree right side, the rising sun badge is located on turned up (left under side) of the brim. The hat is complete with a chin strapHat Badge - Unit ensigns of 8/7RVR Batallion headquartered in Ballarat VIC The Unit Colour patch is white over red and signifies the blood and bandages that was born on the WWI French battlefield that form part of the units history. Rising Sun Badge - The ensigns of the Australian Army

St. Anns College had its beginnings in the arrival in May 1872 of a group of nuns from Ireland. They were the third group of Sisters of Mercy to come to Victoria. The Warrnambool nuns worked hard to establish a school and orphanage for the socially disadvantaged children of the district. They purchased Wyton from Captain Ardlie that year and also Amhurst later on. The Nazareth sisters of Ballarat took over the orphanage in the late 1880's and moved the children to Ballarat but the school continued to develop an expanding curriculum. A chapel was built in 1887 and a school wing in 1906. They survived on tuition fees and the generosity of benefactors though the early and middle part of the 20th century including a large bequest by Mrs Vera Kenna in the 1960's. Boarders were a regular part of convent life until the 1970's which is probably the source of this plate. St Ann's College was combined with St Joseph's CBC college as Emmanuel College and operates today as the largest Catholic college in the district.This has significance as it is associated with one of the longest running schools in the district and hence would have a connection to many Warrnambool people as well as district people who boarded at the college.White bowl, with green and yellow stripe around edge and emblem. Surface is quite scratched on front and bottom of bowl.Inscription on emblem. " St. Anns Warrnambool around edge of logo with Omnia Vincit Labor on banner through the middle with four stars in the background. Printed in green. Inscription on base Grindley Hotel Ware England . Vitrified . Gibson and Paterson Limited New Zealand. CIR stamped into china on base.secondary school, catholic, warrnambool, st ann's college, sisters of mercy, education, emmanuel college

William Horne Barrett was the great uncle of the donor and maker of the DVD, Newell Barrett. The DVD contains photographs of Barrett’s enlistment and embarkation for England and the photographs are accompanied by a commentary and text. Sergeant William Barrett enlisted in the 39th Battalion, C Company in 1916, and, although he came from Ballarat, his name is on the Warrnambool War Memorial as a local enlistment. His mother was Mary Ann Horne and the Hornes were farmers in the Allansford/Nullawarre area. Barrett was killed in action in October 1917 at Broodseinde, Belgium. He was buried near the trench he was occupying and today has no known grave. This DVD is of some significance as it contains information on a World War One soldier who was connected to the Warrnambool area through his mother, a member of the Horne family who were farmers in the Allansford/Nullawarre area. It will be useful for researchers.This is a DVD-R disc of the enlistments and embarkation details of William Horne Barrett (World War One). The running time is 56 minutes. The cover has two photographs of the Canberra Australian War Memorial in muted colour and an inset photograph of William Barrett. Front Cover: ‘William Horne Barrett, died 4th October 1917, Battle of Broodseinde, Belgium, Visit to the War Memorial, May 23rd to 24th 2012, Part One, Enlistment to England’. world war one, horne family, william horne barrett

“Alone in West Africa” is one of a number of works written by Mary Gaunt. Her other works include, A Woman in China, The End of the Earth, Kirkhams Find, The Moving Finger and Deadman’s. Mary was born at Indigo near Chiltern in 1862 and lived for many years in Ballarat where her father W.H. Gaunt was gold commissioner and later a judge. The original Gaunt family home was converted into St Patrick’s College. She married Dr Lindsay Miller and moved to Warrnambool and after his death in 1899 she embarked on her travels which took her to many parts of the world. She died in Cannes, France in January 1942. Mary Gaunt wrote over 25 novels, numerous travel books and many stories and articles. She had a strong link with Warrnambool and details of the district are included among her writings. She also wrote regularly in the early 1900’s for the Times in London on women issues. She was an independent thinker and worker. Apart from the text of “Alone in West Africa,” the work contains 97 black and white photographs which Mary had taken and developed herself. These photos are a significant view of aspects of life in Africa at that timeDark blue cover with gold text. Title, “Alone in West Africa” with sketch of two children in the centre, with Mary Gaunt underneath. The back cover has an embossed letter “L”. Inside the front cover is a rough sketch of the author’s route of the French Ivory Coast. It contains a number of black and white plates and index. 399 pages.T Werner Laurie on bottom of spine. Black and white photograph of author with autograph underneath. T Werner Laurie Clifford’s Inn London. Acknowledgements included in the dedication , Sir Charles Lucas, Sir George Denton, Elder Dempster and Co. Messrs. Swanzy and Co.,gaunt, mary gaunt, alone in west africa, french ivory coast 1912

This hat belongs to the Ansett ANA hostess uniform era between 1954-1968.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Khaki hostess brimmed hat with gold coloured "booma-bird" badge on front. Black satin inside lining. Cross grain sweat band. Black label from maker with red embroidered "booma-bird" attached to sweatband . White hat size tag attached to sweatband.MADE EXPRESSLY FOR ANSETT-ANA by GEORGINA HATS ansett-ana, uniform, hat, khaki, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, booma-bird, georgina hats

Part of Ansett Airways hostess/stewardess uniform of 1940's era. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy hostess side cap with a cloth embroidered badge stitched on the left hand side. Badge 'AA' with map of Australia below and surrounded feathers. Lined. Double stitch Gusset on the crown. Stitching on brim which is folded onto crown.ansett airways, hostess, flight attendants, stewardess, uniform, navy, side cap

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess beret. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has a scalloped turned brim. Wool gabardine material outside. Black cotton interior lining. Damage to material at front of hat.hostess, stewardess, ansett, navy, side cap, flight attendant

This hat belongs is part of the uniform of the 1954-1968 era. It was donated along with other items by Shirley Boles who was a flight hostess between 1956-1974. Shirley became Sister Shirley Boles.This item is part of many item belonging to a former staff member.Khaki hostess brimmed hat by Nivek Headwear. Black inside lining. Grosgrain sweatband. Hat size tag 21 inches. Label with donator's name: Shirley Boles.Shirley Boles/21 inches.uniform, hat, khaki, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear

This hat belongs to the 1964-1968 uniform era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Blue woollen hostess pillbox hat with white inside lining and blue sweat band and mesh front and rear inner. White label Nivek Headwear.Thin chin strapuniform, hat, khaki, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess side cap. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has an upturned brim with a peak each side. Wool gabardine material outside. Gray fabric interior lining.wool, navy blue, hostess, stewardess, flight attendant, uniform, headwear, 1950's, side cap

Part of Ansett Airways hostess/stewardess uniform 1958-1964Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy check (houndstooth) lined hostess cap. ansett airways, navy, hostess, flight attendants, stewardess, pillbox

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform designed for Ansett Airlines of Australia 1969 to 1972. Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire 1969 to 1972.Beige pillbox hat, with a flat crown and straight, upright sides.Turned brim, featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy duty cotton fabric with reinforcing stitches. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream Bem silk lining. Gold coloured badge features 1968-1981 Ansett logo: A Delta"Nivek Headware Reg. Melb" on label inside. Blue ink numeral 21 handwritten on label. Possibly size 21 inch hat.hostess, 1970's, flight attendants, ansett airlines of australia, stewardess, pillbox, 1969-1972, beige, nivek headwear

This hat belongs to the uniform era 1972-1977.Orange colour with 2 black bands hostess hat. White lining inside with black sweat band. Gold and black delta badge on front. White tag with maker's name: by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb. and letters AMP SYD written in blue on tag (possibly pre-owners initials)by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb. / AMP SYDuniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, nivek headwear, orange, badge, delta, ansett airlines

Ansett Airlines of Australia 1972-1977Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Orange bowler hat, with black stripe on band and around crown, lined in cream material. This hat comes with the round Ansett Delta - golden A shape on black enamel - insignia attached in front. Made by NIVEK HEADWARE. Reg. Melb. Donor: EDDY hostess, flight attendant, uniform, orange, 1972-1977, bowler, nivek headwear, stewardess, ansett, delta

Pill-box hat belonging to uniform designed for Customer Service Staff of Ansett Airlines of Australia between 1972-1977. Mustard coloured Pillbox Hat , with flat crown and straight, upright sides. Turned brim featuring peaked detail on one side. Piped edging. Heavy-duty poly-cotton (?) fabric with reinforcing stitching. Fawn grosgrain ribbon interfacing inside. Cream bemsilk lining. Maker's label appears to have been removed. Worn by Customer Service staff. Maker's label no longer on item. Highly similar to hat item 00008 manufactured by "Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb" customer service staff, mustard, pill-box hat, 1970s, ansett airlines

Ansett Australia 1991-1996Red, wide brim straw sun hat, with 18mm navy and cream grosgrain band on crown. No maker listed.No size on item. AP black ink initial handwritten inside crownansett australia, red, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, straw, sun hat

1984-1986 uniform of that era.Navy Blue wide brim felt hostess hat with a blue and pink hat band. White tag with WEISS Australia and M for size.uniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, blue, weiss

Red felt Hostess hat with small brim with small Dent in right top side. Thin red band with 3 lines of white stitches around crown of hat with 2 tabs, Black band inside with black hat elastic sewn in by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Worn by former Ansett employee.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue cotton pull-on bucket hat with button in middle of crown. Hanging loop on brim. Navy blue cotton inside lining.No inscriptions. No markings.

Red felt hostess hat with small brim. Thin red band with 3 lines of white stitches around crown of hat with 2 tabs, black band inside with black hat elastic sewn in. by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb.hostess, flight attendant, stewardess, ansett, nivek headwear, felt

Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by M. Crawford, pilot with Ansett Airlines.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl flat-topped crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal plastic band. Leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black vinyl strap above visor is secured by black buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers. Black mounting. Brisbane Cap Co. Pty. Ltd. Hat belonged to M. Crawford, uniform, pilot, m. crawford, ansett airlines

1984-1986 uniform of that era.Navy Blue wide brim felt hostess hat with a blue and pink hat band. White tag with WEISS Australia and S for size.uniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, blue, weiss

Red felt Hostess hat with small brim with small Dent in right top side. Thin red band with 3 lines of white stitches around crown of hat with 2 tabs, Black band inside with black hat elastic sewn in by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb.

Red felt Hostess hat with small soft brim with 5 Dents on back & front & right side. Thin red band with 3 lines of white stitches around crown of hat with 2 tabs, Black band inside with black hat elastic sewn in by Nivek Headwear Reg. Melb.