This letter, the first air mail letter sent to Warrnambool, was written by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sir David Valentine Hennessy and carried by the aviator, Basil Watson on the first flight to Warrnambool January 24th 1917. The letter was delivered to the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr Webb.There were several other letters delivered at the same time but this is the important official one. Basil Watson was a pioneer aviator who built his own aeroplane which was 18 feet long with a wing span of 26 feet and it had a 7 cylinder 50 H.P. Rotary Gnome engine. Watson flew from Point Cook to Warrnambool in one hour 55 minutes, an Australian cross-country flying record at the time. In Warrnambool Watson amazed the crowd with his dare-devil aerial acrobatics, looping the loop 14 times over the Warrnambool Racecourse. Basil Watson died when he crashed his plane into the sea near Point Cook, just two months after he landed in Warrnambool. This letter is of the utmost significance being the first air mail letter delivered to Warrnambool. It is an important memento of the first aeroplane flight into Warrnambool by the pioneer aviator Basil Watson. This is a cream-coloured sheet of paper folded in two to make four pages. It has handwriting in black ink on two pages. The writing is a little faded. The first page has the logo of the Melbourne Town Hall. The pages are partly torn at the folds. ‘Town Hall, Melbourne, 21/1/17. Lord Mayor’s Room, Dear Mr Mayor, I have much pleasure in sending you greetings by aeroplane piloted by my friend’s son, Mr Basil Watson. I hope when the cruel war is over and victory crowns our efforts, we all in the C’wealth will be able to fly from one state to the other. With best wishes for the New Year, …….. (signature indecipherable), D.V. Hennessy. His Worship the Mayor of Warrnambool.’pioneer aviation in the western district, basil watson, history of warrnambool

00356.1 Letter dated 12 March 1943 from Cyril Smith to Doug N. Craig of the Holmbush Committee about Miss Helen Giovesi as a possible cleaner for the Legacy Club Hostel. Although it is on Commonwealth of Australia Repatriation Committee letterhead he has noted "Unofficial" and struck out his official title from the letter. 00356.2 Letter dated 14 April 1943 from Holmbush Committee to Miss Helen Giovesi confirming an arrangement for her and her sister Miss Rita to undertake the cooking and household duties at wages of £3 and £2.5 respectively. Also mentions that Mr and Mrs Frank have taken up residence as the hostel managers. 00356.3 Letter dated 16 April 1943 from Helen and Rita Giovesi accepting the positions.Holmbush was the first hostel for children that Legacy started and operated from April 1943. It was later renamed Blamey House after Legaacy's baby and toddler home, Blamey House in Beaumaris was closed.A record of employment process and business correspondence in 1943.00356.1 White quarto letterhead, black type, two hole punched. 00356.2 White quarto copy paper, black type, two hole punched. 00356.3 White note paper, black ink handwriting, two hole punched.00356.1 Unofficial, in black ink and underlinedresidences, staff, holmbush

Yields information about Geelong trams in the mid 1950's and the interior of the tram depot.Photograph - black and white of the interior of the Geelong depot showing spare armatures and an inspection pit. Tram 39 is at front of the depot, awaiting an AETA tour. Photo dated 2-4-1955. Based on handwriting, photo by Leon Marshall-Wood.In ink on the rear, "Geelong Tram Depot 2-4-1955"trams, tramways, geelong, depot, aeta, armatures, tram 39

Yields information about an ex Geelong tram at the SEC depot, possibly soon after it entered service in Ballarat.Black and white photograph of SEC tram 43 in the depot yard, November 1956, prior to the tram entering service. Photograph from the Bob Lilburn Collection. Inscription in Bob's handwriting. Based on the 2nd print, photo taken 11/1956.On rear in ink "43 at Ballarat Depot, Ex Geelong 40, Ex 40 MMTB PMTT" Has stamped on the rear "Print by Vergolia" and date stamp "17.2.70". Two copies held. In the second print, has "Ballarat 43 at depot prior entering service" and "Ex Geelong 40 Ex 40 MMTB, PMTT".trams, tramways, sec depot, bogie trams, tram 43

Item/s in collection re B.J. Ruler VX40780 refer Cat No 5790 for his service details. Booklet- 16 pages, religious calendar 1943 with a picture of a Saint with a child in his arms. Inside are the months, dates printed in blue ink, on the memo side of the month ar hand written in black ink numbers. Front cover inside “ Margaret Ruler” in black lead handwriting. Page “November 1943” handwritten in blue ink “ calendar, ww2

An ink stand was a basic household item in the homes of the more affluent people in past generations before the more common use of the fountain pen and the biro (late 1940s). The ink stand in a home would have been used mainly for letter writing. It was also a basic item in business houses in the same time frame. There is no provenance for this particular item but it is of interest as a household object of the past and is useful for display. Wooden base with indentations for two ink bottles and pens and white metal handles (000633.1). Two ink bottles made of cut glass with white metal necks and hinged glass tops (000633.2 and .3). One ink pen with bone handle, brass top and rusty nib (000633.4).Pen marked 229.2 (old cataloguing number) Base has name in handwriting ‘Mrs A.H. Davidson’ (the donor) communication, ink set, writing set, warrnambool

.1) Envelope address to Miss Lilac Rogan Casey Street, Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. Postmarked British Camp. .2) Postcard - Le Caire - L'Obelisque d'Heliopolis.1) Envelope YMCA, light khaki colour with one stamp. .2) Postcard to Lilac Rogan of Maryborough from her brother, sent from Egypt..1) Handwritten address on envelope. Envelope "YMCA" wit "H.M. Army & Navy" .2) Handwriting on rear of postcard.passchendaele barracks trust, envelopes, postcards

Used by donor on 26.01.1974Day return ticket from North Port to Melbourne on the last dog-box (swing door) train, 26.01.1974'Handwriting on reverse: 'last dog-box train 26.1.74 2.25 pm up, 2.50 pm Port Melbournetransport - railways, north port station

These are exercise books belong to the first pupil of the then Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution. A slim soft covered exercise book with red marbelling on cover, red binding over spine. Contains, handwritten in ink, by Lucy Lewis, the first pupil of the Victorian Deaf and Dumb Institution, a series of questions and answers relating to the gospel, created as part of her education. On inside cover in handwriting "S. Lucy A. Lewis / Jan 23 1865". Little tag in corner "RAL/No 17" deaf children australia, lucy lewis, deaf education, exercise book

Colour print of Bendigo SECV Bendigo trams 2 and 4 at Charing Cross. On Kodacolor paper with a Kodak red ink stamp on rear. Trams have dash canopy lights, but no large white strip under the drivers windows. Photo dated 21.11.1962. Buildings on corner of Pall Mall and Mitchell St in background. Both trams fitted with roof ads and dash canopy ads - White Horse Whiskey. Shows "safety zone" arrangements. No. 2 has destination of "Quarry Hill" while 4 has destination of "Eaglehawk". Has a number of passengers boarding trams. Note "PYE" name on radio tower mast.On rear top left hand corner "2 and 4 / 21.11.62" in very wavy handwriting, typical of an aged person.charing cross, bendigo, mitchell st., safety zone, tram 2, tram 4

The role of the community consultation officer was to act as an interface between Board of Works and the community. This is a report on the outcome of feedback re: the various areas of Wattle Park, including the natural environment, the constructed environment and the restoration projects of different areas of the park.Five major issues were identified: disability and elderly access to the park; staffing; dogs; security of parkland and personal safety; green issues.A spiral bound photocopy of a report."Property of Surrey Hills Historical Society (Historical Society crossed out) / Heritage Group" (in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting)wattle park, jeanette norman, m m board of works, parks and recreation, wattle park advisory committee, bird observers club of victoria, wattle park golf club, 4 seasons tennis club, golf, wattle park chalet, doberman club of victoria, melbourne and metropolitan tramways band, surrey hills neighbourhood centre, residents action group of box hill south, (ms) faye shepherd

W. V. Hill Collection - William Valentine Hill was a journalist. He and his wife Annie and family came to 10 Pembroke Street in 1904. Jocelyn Hall notes suggest that the boy pictured is a son. If this is the case it would most likely be Albert Clement Hill born in 1902. The image looks too young to be a contemporaneous photo of him. None of the direct family have service records.A black and white photograph of a young boy's face framed by the words in an oval shape - "War Souvenir Advance Australia / 1916"In grey lead pencil on rear in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting: "Hill family / 10 Pembroke / St / SH/ Keep"william valentine hill (mr), albert clement hill (mr), pembroke street, surrey hills, fundraising events, stamps, ww1

This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons. From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition; he retired in 1945. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. W T Nisbe... is probably William Thomson Nisbet, traveller of 'Maroona', Brenbeal Street, Balwyn listed in 1903, 1914, 1919 electoral rolls. His wife was Mary Grace Nisbet, son was William Thomson Nisbet Jnr (clerk) and daughter was Olive Thomson Nisbet (dressmaker). The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons in one of his hansom cabs with his horse 'Barney' taken near Surrey Hills railway station. Another hansom cab is to the right of the photo and there is another man standing on the footpath. In the background are shops and the partial hoarding of W T Nisbe... is visible. The photo was taken between 1916-1927. On rear of the duplicate print in pencil in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting : "NO 59 / and 89 / Spare ? / perhaps better than enlargement"transport, horse drawn vehicles, businesses, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons, william thomas nisbet

Colour slide, Kodak, fawn cardboard of MMTB former Q class 199 as altered for wheel transportation of spare wheel and axle sets to depots. Photographed on road 17 at Preston workshops 15/8/1959. See Reg Item 4276 as the tram decorated for Myers Christmas tram. Slide Number K(c)(292)Extensive handwriting on rear in ink and that it was photographed at ? f5.6. Slide has in pencil 'WJW" in the top right hand corner.trams, tramways, q class, wheels, work trams, preston workshops, tram 199

Churchill Island Heritage Farm has a large photograph collection dating from the mid-nineteenth century to the last decade. This series of photographs show candid pictures taken by previous residents of the Island. Black and White photograph of a group of men: Mal McCartney, Guy Evans, Arthur Evans taken from the front of Amess House. Cannon and pine tree can be seen in the background.Catalogue number written on reverse in pencil. '7'28' stamped on reverse Handwriting on back 'L -> R Mal McCartney, Guy Evans (brother killed in WW2) Arthur Evans Taken from front of house Note - pine trees' Handwriting on reverse 'c.1938' churchill island, mal mccartney, guy evans, arthur evans

Vida Evelyn Holmes born 1903, Byaduk, second daughter of Joseph and Agnes Holmes, Byaduk. Worked as a nurse and died in Warrnambool hospital in 1928. 7358 Pte William Thomas Harper, born 1896, Byaduk, 8th Battalion-24th Reinforcements, embarked in Melbourne on HMAT A 70 Ballarat, and killed 3rd May 1918, aged 22 years, buried in Outtersteene Communnal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France, Grave HMAT A70 Ballarat, a transport ship sunk by a submarine in the English Channel1809.1-1R envelope 14.5 x 9.00cm, opened along upper side 1809.2-4R letter 22.5 x 15.00cm, 3 pages of buff writing paper, handwritten blue on both sides 1809.5-.5R military pass 19,00 x 10.00cm, commercial pull out sheet, slight pertains on left hand side 1809.6-.9R postcards 14.00 x 9.00cm, sepia photographs/views, green ink, red 1d penny stamp and handwriting. 1809.1-1R envelope: light sepia, ink postage stamp and black ink address and sender details, reverse has lead pencil calculations 1809.2-4R letter: buff writing paper, blue ink handwriting on both sides 1809.5-.5R military pass: printed, blue stamped and handwritten information, red signature Wm T Harper; reverse - black printed instruction and chart 1809.6-.9R postcards: Souvenir of Salisbury/Views Only, partial postmark.Miss Vida Holmes/Byaduk/Hamilton/Victoria/Australia Reverse inside note signed 'Yours Sincerely/Cousin Bill/ One of the "Ballarat' heroes/...s the King calls you/ Wednesday May 9th 1917Love to all the children/and Mother and Fathervida holmes, bill harper, hmat a70 ballarat, ww 1, byaduk, letter, postcard, military pass, 7358

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the Dunedin tramway system, provides details of the tram system during 1946 and the rolling stock. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil on quarto size paper and one sheet of notes on the Dunedin NZ tramway system 1946.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, dunedin nz

This is an 1886 certificate admitting George Mackay to practise as an attorney, solicitor and proctor in the courts of the colony of Victoria. George Sutherland Mackay (1850-1926) was born in Scotland and educated at the University of Glasgow. He came to Australia in 1884. In 1891 he came to Warrnambool and established a legal practice in Kepler Street. In 1893 he bought the practice of the late James Fletcher and the firm was then known as Fletcher and Mackay. It changed to Mackay and Taylor (later Mackay Taylor) when J.D. Taylor became his partner in the 1920s. In 1999 Tait Solicitors and Mackay Taylor amalgamated to form Tait Taylor and in 2010 the firm’s name became Tait Legal. This certificate is of considerable importance as a significant memento of George Mackay, a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool from the 1890s to 1926.This is a paper certificate pasted on board and set into a brown cardboard frame. The certificate has brown or gold handwriting with some calligraphy, three or four stamps (mostly obliterated), a green duty stamp and the remains of a signature. The frame is tattered at the edges and stained at the back.george sutherland mackay, warrnambool lawyer, j.d. taylor, tait solicitors and mackay taylor, history of warrnambool

These two ledgers, used between 1913 and 1926, come from the Haberfield family. James Haberfield came to the Warrnambool area from England in the mid 19th century and with his wife established a property, 'The Briars' at Dennington, near Warrnambool. Two sons, James Bertram and William, were cartage contractors and cash produce buyers in the first half of the 20th century with the business based in Fairy Street and Farnham ('The Briars'). These two ledgers contain the business dealings of the Haberfield Bros. business in the 1910s and 1920s. These ledgers are of considerable interest as they record the business details of an important early cartage and produce business in Warrnambool. Also the Haberfield family was a prominent one in Warrnambool in the 20th century. The building that contained the produce store run by William Haberfield at the corner of Fairy and Lava Streets still survives..1 This is a ledger with a black cover with a beige leather spine and edges and a red and gold label. The pages are ruled with red and blue lines and contain handwriting in black ink. The spine is a little scuffed. .2 as above but with an alphabetical listing at the front section and with no scuffingCash Book Ledger Haberfield, J.B. Ledger From Folio 270warrnambool produce stores

Rev. James Walter Beecher (Wally) (1911 - 1989) was ordained in Wyeheproof in 1945.Matte, black and white, head and shoulders portrait of Rev. James Walter Beecher mounted on light gray card. Rev Beecher is facing to the right and looking directly at the camera. He is wearing his clerical collar. There is ink and pencil handwriting on the back.rev james walter (wally) beecher presbyterian minister

Exercise Book with advertising for Shu-tone Shoe Polish on the front cover (see photo). Lined pages inside. First page has handwriting by owner (Evelyn Rose?) on first few pages. Back cover has arithmetic tables printed on it.Evelyn Rose / Herald Streetexercise book, shu-tone advertising, shoes

Photograph of players and officials lined up during a ceremony on a tennis court. Includes Wayne Reid, and John Newcombe. Handwriting on back states: 'Opening COmmercial Union Masters December 10th-15th 1975 in Melbourne'. Materials: Paper, Photographic emulsiontennis

Colour print of Bendigo 7 at the North Bendigo terminus with two ladies, the conductor and driver standing alongside. The tram has a Castrol oil advert and has the destination of Golden Square Photograph from the Bob Lilburn Collection. Inscription in Bob's handwriting.On rear in ink "7 at Nth Bendigo 7/67"trams, tramways, north bendigo, tram 7

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the Invercargill tramway system, provides details of the tram system and a list of the rolling stock and track length. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil and a second sheet, both on quarto paper providing details of the Invercargill NZ tramway system.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, invercargill

Wal Jack had an extensive range of correspondents throughout Australia and the world who often provided him with detailed drawings and notes on various tramway systems. This set of notes on the New Plymouth NZ tramway system provides details of the tram system and a list of the rolling stock. Based on the handwriting, prepared by Wal Jack himself. Yields information about Wal Jack's extensive recording and research work.Drawing - black, red and blue ink or colour pencil and a second sheet, both on quarto paper providing details of the New Plymouth NZ tramway system.tramways, wal jack, drawings, maps, tramcars, new plymouth nz

This is Item 26 of 27 items in the Daisy Vickers collection of World War One memorabilia. These items were sent or given to Daisy Ogier (nee Vickers) during World War One by Corporal Arthur Anderson who enlisted from Warrnambool in 1915 at the age of 21. He served in Egypt and France and returned to Australia in 1919. Daisy Ogier (1907-1987) was a student and then a teacher at Warrnambool Technical School with her early teaching years there from 1925 to 1936 and in 1949. She became the head mistress from 1950 to 1963 and in 1968. She officially retired in 1976. Daisy Vickers was one of the best loved and dedicated teachers that the school ever had. She married the Reverend Fred Ogier and continued her association with the school after her husband's deathDaisy Vickers collection: Item 19 of 27This card is interesting because of its association with World war One and two local people Daisy Vickers and Arthur Anderson This card features an embroidered mauve, silver and yellow centred flower, buds and green leaves and yellow embroidered words. The flower lifts to reveal a pocket in which is a smaller white card with an oval coloured scene of countryside and a town in the background. There is handwriting in ink on the back . Carte Postale - Postcard France 22-6-18 Dear Daisy, Just to let you know I have not forgotten you. I am out for a spell at present. Arthur Smaller card: A Kiss from France daisy vickers, arthur anderson, warrnambool technical school, world war 1 embroidered postcard

This door plate was found at 28 Spence Street, Warrnambool by the builder Ray Hollingsworth, when he was renovating the building for the Warrnambool Presbyterian Church in June 2019. He realized that the inscription had been placed there by Leslie O'Callaghan, probably when he left the premises in 1942 after boarding there for some years. Leslie O'Callaghan (1918-2014) was born in Balmoral and left there at the age of 13 with a scholarship to study at Warrnambool Technical School. He became an industrial chemist, working at the Kraft Walker Cheese Factory in Allansford (Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory). His experimental work in cheese cultures over a 45 year period was regarded as cutting edge work in the Victorian dairying industry. Known as 'Mr History', Leslie O'Callaghan was also an important Warrnambool historian, serving as president of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society for 35 years. In later life Les wrote about his time in 28 Spence Street, noting the lay-out of the early building and other boarders at the time. He never mentioned the interesting memento of his time there that he left on the back of a door plate. The Warrnambool and District Historical Society Archives Centre is called 'Les O'Callaghan History House'This door plate with its inscription was found 77 years after the inscription was written. It is of considerable interest because the writer of the inscription was well-known in Warrnambool as a bacteriologist and an historian. He left his own personal historical message and by sheer chance it was found years later. (All the old door plates at the time of the renovation were thrown out and it was fortunate that the builder happened to see the writing on one of them and to recognize who the writer was.)This is a cream-coloured ceramic door plate. It is rectangular-shaped with curved edges at the top and bottom. It has been painted white and has two holes at the top and bottom for the insertion of screws for a5taching the plate to the door. The inside of the plate has handwriting in black pencilLeslie Alexander O'Callaghan lived here for some years 1939-1942 AD. His occupation was as assistant bacteriologist for Kraft-Walker Cheese Coy. at Allansford. Born at Balmoral, 40 miles NORTH of Hamilton, Victorialeslie o'callaghan warrnambool, kraft walker cheese company allansford, 28 spence street warrnambool

These documents concern the property in South Warrnambool, Jetty Allotment 7, Section 4. They include a search made of the title of this property in 1937 and information on later purchasers of the property. The first owner of this property was James Cust who purchased it in April 1853. James Cust (1815-1860) came from Ireland to Australia in 1841. From 1847 on he farmed first at Woodford and then moved into Warrnambool and began land speculating.. In 1856 his property was valued at £20,000 but by 1858 he was declared insolvent following the insolvency of his financial backer, William Bateman and his properties were sold. He died in 1860 following an accident at a Ballarat gold mine. Other notable Warrnambool identities who owned this property on Pertobe Road included Thomas King, Christopher Beattie, Thomas Goodall, William McMahon and Alan Lane.These documents are of interest as they detail the history of a property in Warrnambool up to the 1960s. They are also an example of the type of property once owned by James Cust, an important early land speculator in Warrnambool. These are nine loose sheets of paper concerning a legal search made of a block of land in Warrnambool and later documents on the same property The papers contain handwriting in blue and black ink and pencil and one red stamp. One of the pages is an invoice for the charge made for the search.‘Searched 25/5/37 W.D. Richardson Titles Searcher 418 Little Collins Street Melbourne C1’james cust,, history of warrnambool

Black and white photograph of Rod Laver and another male tennis player (unidentified). Handwriting on reverse states: "Rod Laver at left' and 'Laver, Phillip-Moore'. However other man does not appear to be Barry Phillips-Moore. Materials: Paper, Photographic emulsiontennis