Gasometers resulted from complex engineering design evolving from primitive gasholders first used in 1824 in England to power street lights. The 20th century gasometer, (as used at the Highett Gasworks), was comprised of a series of large interconnected, telescopic, cylindrical vessels or lifts, which rose and fell depending on the volume of gas stored. The gasholder operated on a basic principle of a gas-filled floating vessel, rising and falling in a seal of water. The Highett Gasworks had its beginning in 1939 but its beginnings commenced sixty-two years earlier when the privately owned Brighton Gas Company was floated in 1877. By 1880 the company was performing well and making excellent profits. The company was welcomed by residents wanting to replace the shadowy light of a kerosene lamp with the bright luminescence of "modern" gas lamps. The land developers of the day were also keen supporters. But by 1884 people became disgrunted because either the gas had not reached them yet or because the quality of the supply had diminished due to the increasing use. In 1885 a second private gas company, the Central Brighton and Moorabbin Gas Co, Chaired by "Tommy" Bent was floated and for many years the two gas companies enjoyed a shared monopoly in supplying gas from their New Street Works. In the 1930s the company expanded its gas production facilities to Highett where it had purchased 45 acres of land adjacent to the Melbourne-Frankston railway line. A gasholder with a capacity of 750,000 cubic feet was erected on the Highett land in 1927 and connected with high pressure mains to the Brighton works. Three years later the company directors decided to proceed with the construction of a vertical retort house and coal store. Following a "lull" during the Great Depression work recommenced in 1936 and by 1939 the first complete gas-making plant was completed, and gas making commenced. Over the next twenty one years other significant extensions occurred, including an amenities block to accomodate 100 workers. In 1969 Esso commenced the introduction of natural gas to residents homes and the gradual decommissioning of the Highett Gasworks commenced. Part of the old Highett Gasworks site is now a council owned parkThe photos of the Higett Gasworks, now demolished, recall their long history, that originated in the 1800s with the production of gas to supply homes with a new, much improved light source, and later it's other applications such as for stoves etc. The arrival of gas in the Shire of Moorabbin was a huge step forward that encouraged further building and development in the area.Three Photographs of the Highett Gasworks. Two are coloured photos taken in 1974, and one is black and white taken in the 1960s. All are in good conditionOn the back of the two coloured photographs "Highett Gasworks 1974" No inscription on the black and white aerial photograph.brighton, moorabbin, highett, bent thomas, gasometer, highett gasworks, engineering design, brighton gas company, central brighton and moorabbin gas company, great depression, lamp kerosene

Booklet 8 pages, orange cover: tourism booklet, Autumn in Bendigo & District 1995. Front page has image of Bendigo Easter Fair 1995. Woman riding dragon depicted. Contents include attractions, potteries and wineries, arts and antiques, market, dining out, accommodation, annual events etc. Many advertisements of local businesses.bendigo, bendigo easter fair, tourism booklet

Copy of 44 page document titled ' Bendigo Easter Fair: Its nature and its history' Document outlines goals and successes, future planning etc., also includes account written by David Horsfall, local author and journalist, re the early history of Bendigo Easter Fair. Logo on bottom right hand corner 'Sandhurst Trustees, Bendigo Easter Fair'bendigo, bendigo easter fair, horsfall article, planning report

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2001. Crowning glory: to raise funds for extensions to st Aidan's Orphanage, a series of ''queen'' competitions were held throughout the Diocese of Sandhurst. After months of fetes, raffles, house parties, dances, etc; the grand final climax was the crowning of the ''queen'' at the Princess Theatre. Pictured is Lil Delaney as the ''queen'', two standing are Alma Waldron and Carmel McInerny and the train bearers are Gloria Patten and Peg Elliot; circa 1926. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Manilla envelope that was enclosed with negative and photo collection of Albert Richardson, contains directions for reproduction of certain negatives, amount of copies etc. Written on outside of envelope: Historical Society per A. Richardson, negative, photo also in this envelope AR., Hustler's Royal Reserve ( city) 1 copy wanted. Photos ordered.bendigo, mining, notes on negatives

Envelope containing two negatives. On outside of envelope in biro: looking north to Victoria Hill, North Old Chum, Big 180 etc, in 1870's'. Negative shows poppet head, mining sheds. Negatives not scanned.bendigo, mining, victoria hill

Bendigo Advertiser ''The way we were'' from 2001. Tough: these men could be St Mungo miners; date, names, etc. unknown. The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Graduated Copy Book with green cover (name of Agnes Miles handwritten in ink on front cover) Book No 18 (invoices, receipts etc) All exercises completed in ink. Printed by Cassell & Co Ltd London, Paris and Melbourne. Advertising for Cassell education products inside/outside front and rear covers. Various RHSV stamps and date (handwritten) on front cover 8/6/1894.school, history, education, agnes miles. cassell education products.

Page from docket book with Invitations Cards etc. Sandhurst Branch ANA Legislative Convention. Page has red 373 stamped on top corner and before it a blue handwritten 3. 'Original' printed in top left corner.document, memo, contents, note, invitations cards etc, sandhurst branch ana legislative convention

Cream menu with blue printing, dated June 30 , 1914, for Bendigo Mayoral Ball. On the front it has the City Coat of Arms, menu, name of Mayor, Cr. D. Andrew, and date and place of ball. On the inside is the Wine, Ales, etc. List and the Menu. On the back is the name of the caterer and the printer. Also C. J. Glover written on back.bendigo, council, mayoral ball, menu, city of bendigo mayoral ball, cr d andrew, mrs andrew, c h leggo, cambridge press, c j glover

Sepia image mounted on board: image shows large procession of horse drawn vehicles, line of jinkers, carriages, etc. disappears into background, with bicycle riders alongside. Men are mostly wearing three piece suits, hats, and women wearing long dresses, seated in carriage. Procession is lined up outside buildings. Timber buildings with iron roof. Written on sign ' Roberts & Sons. Indistinct, behind trees' Roberts & Sons operated a foundry in Wills Street, Bendigo. Roberts & Sons, picnic, 1896. (Source: Bendigo Trust Collection)'Robevent, recreation, picnic, bendigo, procession, roberts & sons, foundry, wills street.

post card Elizabeth street Melbourne , from Flinders Street . GPO in the distance - early 1900s ? / black and white photo on paper / picture shows R W LAWRENCE DRY CLEANER , HORSES AND CARTS AND EARLY TRAM . / back of card R B LAWRENCE , DRY CLEANER , Dry Cleaner , Ostrich Feather Dresser etc, / card addressed to Branch , 209 Mitchell St Bendigo / no stamp included .postcard, photograph, post card elizabeth street melbourne , from flinders street . gpo in the distance - early 1900s / r w lawrence dry cleaner /

Handwritten and typed copies of a Business License Petition. Petition is about storekeepers, etc. who have built their businesses on Crown Land. The petitioners hoped that the land upon which they have erected their premises may be surveyed and put up for public auction and that the premises on the land are valued and allowed for.document, names of bendigo pioneers, business license petition, business license petition, i hendry, major general macarthur

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Twenty - four pages of typed notes for a speech titled 'Trends in modern retailing - an address to Castlemaine Rotary Club, Wednesday March 19 1958'. A front, unattached page has 'Business - Marketing, etc including 3 lectures from 'Marketing and Promotion for the smaller business'. Appears to be only one speech.bendigo, industry, traders, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. retail industry.

Picturesque Victoria and how to get there, a handbook for tourists containing information regarding railways, coaches, steamboats, fares, etc. Issued by the Victorian Railways December 1907. Printed by D W Paterson Co Melbourne, contains 246 pages with maps and black and white illustrations.books, natural history, victoria

Bendigo/Eaglehawk Urban Heritage Study - Study Launch 11th April 1991. Three page document with attachments and appendices. Details of Purpose of the Study; Management of the Study (including names of consultants); budget area, strategy, timing etc. Three pages (illustrated of places to visit (46 numbered localities); map of Eaglehawk with 24 numbered locations; Appendices.City of Bendigo, Borough of Eaglehawk, The Historic Buildings Council, Victoria National Estate Committeebendigo, council, heritage study, heritage study, bendigo, eaglehawk. historic building council, victoria national building committee.

Enquiry from Miss E D Service, St. Kilda re Hugh McColl and reply from BHS (1974). Enquiry is re his death in St Kilda and reason for death etc. - reply is an extract from the Annals re Mc Coll date 1885 (with no personal details).person, individual, hugh mccoll

Newspaper article (Bendigo Advertiser May 9th, 1970) ''McKay of Drummartin'' - Hugh Victor McKay and family. Family history of McKay family, their farming at Drummartin, the development of the Sunshine Harvester etc. Mention of Pickles firm in Bendigo being one of the contractors used in the early days of production of the harvester (office in Ballarat in 1886). Property in 1970 being in the hands of Ron McKay. Photos of property and early harvester and restoration.Bendigo Advertiserperson, individual, mckay family

Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 48 page soft cover book of poems by Charles Harpur (Australia's First Great Poet) Edited with an introduction by Kenneth H Gifford (author of 'The Reluctant Lover etc) and Donald F Hall. Published in 1944 by Arura Writers, a publishing organisation founded for the purpose of forwarding Australian culture by publishing works by Australian writers past and present. Printed by J.C Stephens Pty Ltd, Melbourne. Catalogue sticker '2091 HAR' on front cover.Charles Harpurbooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, charles harpur, kenneth h gifford, donal f hall, arura writers, poetry

Two page document: ''It slowly fades away - information re Michelsen family /Thunders Brewery/Lucan Street Brewery (two copies - one with pencilled-in additions/corrections. Information re the property at 46 Lucan Street and description of structure and gardens etc. Author? Date mentioned is 1973.person, individual, michelsen family, thunders brewery, lucan street brewery, bendigo cognac distillery

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. 1. Two covering pages, with handwriting in blue pen. Mayor's Notes 1964, and Contents of File - Mayor's Notes 1964, Bendigo, Local Government, Town Planning, Water - Coliban Area, Business - marketing, etc., Speech for Graduation of Nurses. 2. Four typed pages of undated Mayor's Notes which make reference to the first week as Mayor, and learning of his appointment on 29 August. Topics include : a council business meeting dealing with the use of the Garden Gully sports facilities, the Housing Commission garden competition, Royal Commission on supply and consumption of liquor, neighbourhood disputes regarding drainage issues and owner responsibility, Rotary Club slide presentation on Bendigo past and present, tenders to Council for supply of a range of materials, Art Gallery Committee meeting (noting the need for careful selection policy re. donations and borrowings).bendigo, council, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. bendigo art gallery. rotary clubs - bendigo. royal commission on supply and consumption of liquor.

Foolscap pages x6, stapled, signed A.L. Clearson Sup't of loco running ref DRD .Jm 16.8.1961. Victorian railways memo bulldozers, cranes etc. Available to department for hire. List attached to memo showing location, address, telephone, type of machine available.document, memo, railway, a.l. clearson sup't of loco running (x ref 1325.31)

Victorian Railways memo 26.11.1937. Reference 'SLS 70/37. AM.DC / Sup't of Loco. Supplies Office, Melbourne. Subject of Method of handling etc. The spare cylinder oil bottle and the containers for the trip allowances of cylinder bearing oils and Kerosene. Signed by E. Dillon on foolscap page.document, memo, railway, e. dillon

Advertisement (photocopy) for W Wotherspoon, Bendigo. Furniture dealer, cnr Barnard and Wattle Sts. Some prices provided of various furniture items and details of terms etc.Bolton & Sons, Printers, & C., Bendigobusiness, retail, w. wotherspoon, barnard & wattle street.

Information re James ''Hungry'' Tyson, born in New South Wales 1819, (no date,no source for re-printed document).- brief biography and mention of his commercial interests, especially in Bendigo (beef/cattle yards/slaughterhouse etc). His father William Tyson Came to Sydney in 1809 and became a policeman in the Appin district. James Tyson worked for stations before going to the Barwidgee run in Victoria with his brother William. Yards for the cattle were established at Goornong and at Back Creek, where a Slaughterhouse and butchery were also established. There is also mention of the Tysons reef being named after James Tyson. He died in 1898 on one of his properties inland from Brisbane. Banjo Patterson wrote a poem titled 'T.Y.S.O.N.'person, individual, james tyson, back creek, bendigo creek, tyson's reef hotel, irishtown, tysons reef, tyson's old, tyson's new, alliance, england and davis, oriental flors and new mint

Metal tool for crimping or pinking, leather, felt, etc, with enclosed note reading, this is Grandma Junipers pinking iron, you put the edge of flannel or felt on a piece of lead & tap with the hammer, makes a nice scallop edge for rugs or anything like edge for mats etc, Grandma used to use it quite a lot.K R Timmins & Sonscottage, miners

Collection of Merle Bush Ephemera. Advertising sheet for ''Traxo'' - the Great Cleanser for kitchen, laundry and lavatory. Details of how to use for washing clothes etc. plus guarantee details. Proprietors: The Taraxale Brewing Co., Depot: 4 City Market, Bendigo.person, individual, bush collection - personal

Booklet. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 12 page booklet on the habits, life etc of the lyrebird as witnessed by the author at Sherbrooke Forest, Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, between 1932 and 1935. List of contents on front cover. Printed in 1936 by W. D. Vaughan, Kew, Victoria. Catalogue sticker ''2202 MOR'' on front cover. Handwritten in ink on front cover ''With the author's compliments''.D. J. Morganbooks, collections, ornithology, alec h chisholm collection, d.j.morgan, lyrebirds, sherbrooke forest, ornithology

Bendigo Butter Factory. Three pages of an account book, pinned together. The front page is headed 'Inventory Working Plant Bendigo Butter Factory', dated May 31st 1908. Following is a list of equipment in various sections of the factory. A valuation is given. The third page is headed 'Inventory of Machinery, horses, carts, etc. with no valuation.bendigo, industry, bendigo butter factory.