Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM, was born in Milingimbi, eastern Arnhemland in 1945. He was educated at Milingimbi Mission School and pursued his theological education as a youth leader and Sunday School teacher through the Methodist Church, before attending college in Brisbane. In 1969 he trained as a Minister in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands under the Uniting Church, before returning to Arnhemland to minister his own people at the Galiwin’ku parish, firstly as a lay pastor (1971-1972) and then as a Minister from 1976-1982. In 1983-84, Rev Djiniyini worked as a Lecturer in Theology at Nungalinya College, Darwin. He was honoured with a Diploma of Theology (Honorary) from there in 1984, and in 1991 received a Cultural Doctorate in Literature (Honorary) from the World University, Roundtable, Arizona USA. Rev Djiniyini was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1995. As well as being the Chairman of ALPA since 1993, Rev Djiniyini is currently the Director of Duduy’ngu Pty Ltd, which provides consultancy and cross-cultural services. He is also Director of Yirrkala Business Enterprises. Over the years, Rev Djiniyini has served on many committees and councils including: Member of the Steering Committee of the Australian Indigenous Cultural Network (1998-2001), CEO of Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc (1998-2001), CEO of the Northern Regional Council of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (1998-2001), Director of Reconciliation Australia Limited (2000-2001), Member of Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1998-2000), Chairman of Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (1995-2000 & 1990-1993), Member of Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (1991-1994), Moderator of Northern Synod, Uniting Church in Australia (1985-1987), Secretary of newly formed Aboriginal Presbytery, Northern Synod, Uniting Church in Australia (1985), and Vice-President of Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Uniting Church in Australia (1983-1987). Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM has also been extensively published, and his works include: • Information Papers (co authored), Aboriginal Resource and Development Services: • Confusion Between Cultures (1998) • MHead & Shoulders of Djiniyini Gondarra facing right of picture."Rev. Djiniyini Gondarra 1986. Moderator Northern Synod and Vice President of Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Conference."gondarra, djiniyini, uaicc, northern synod uca

Victor Raymond Hicks (11/8/1903–19/11/1995) born at Ballarat. Trained at Otira and accepted as candidate for the ministry in 1927. Ordained 1934. Married Lillian Harvey, 4 children. Appointments to Mitiamo, Matimuk, Woomelang, Wodonga, Kerang, Springvale, Brunswick, North Fitzroy, Geelong West, Kyneton and Brown Hill (Ballarat). Chaplaincy in WW2 and at Box Hill hospital. The article about the Mitiamo church: "Fifty years ago the Rev. Raymond Hicks was minister at Mitiamo as it celebrated its Golden Jubilee. He returned for the centenary this year and powerfully preached on 'Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes' (Isaiah 54:2). He spoke of the great need of the church today to have a passion to lead men and women to Christ. Also sharing in the service were the Rev. Ray Scholl, a Mitiamo member before entering the ministry, and present minister, the Rev. M. Thalheimer. The centenary weekend began with an old fashioned tea meeting and concert. The Sunday school hall housed a comprehensive display of photos and historical records dating back to the Bible Christian days of 1884. Mrs Thirza Phelan has researched and written the church history. FOOTNOTE: The first minister, Mitiamo's the Rev. Daniel Daley, preached at the Golden Jubilee service—Mr Hicks has followed an ancient tradition."Colour photograph of Rev. V. Raymond Hicks standing outside the front of a wooden church porch.C&N identification.rev raymond hicks, home missionary, methodist ministry, otira

ADB entry: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/langham-frederick-3987 Frederick Langham (1833-1903), Wesleyan missionary, was born on 24 April 1833 at Launceston, Van Diemen's Land, son of Samuel Langham, builder, and his wife Eliza, née Robinson. Nurtured in a Methodist home he attended the Paterson Street Sunday school and was 'converted' under the ministry of Rev. William Butters. In 1847 the family moved to Victoria where Langham joined the Fitzroy Church. After two years training as a teacher in Britain he returned to Melbourne and on 16 November 1854 at Richmond married Ann Elizabeth Knight. In January 1855 Langham became headmaster of the Wesleyan Denominational School at Barker Street, Castlemaine, where he was a contemporary of Shirley Baker at the other Wesleyan school. Influenced by Rev. Thomas Raston to consider missionary work, Langham was prepared for the ministry by Rev. John Harcourt and in 1858 was received into the Victorian Conference. He was appointed to Fiji where he arrived in June. Langham served at Lakemba in 1858-63, Bau in 1864-66 and Viwa in 1868-70. As one of the assertive 'colonial young men', he was resented at first by Rev. James Calvert and his colleagues, but Langham soon dominated the mission and was chairman of the Fiji district in 1869-94. From 1871 he lived at Bau where he won repute among Methodists as King Cakobau's adviser. Although his policies did not please all the missionaries, they accepted him as their spokesman. Believing himself the champion of the Fijians he encouraged annexation by Britain, but often nettled the colonial administrators by his paternalism and lack of imagination. To his colleagues he was 'Father' Langham and Sir Arthur Gordon referred to him as 'The Cardinal'. In 1874-75 and 1890 Langham and his wife visited Melbourne mainly for their health. They finally left Fiji in April 1895 and lived in Sydney where Langham worked on the revision of the Fijian Bible. Though always reluctant in Australia to travel on deputationary work, he identified himself with the Orange cause and was easily persuaded to give anti-Catholic missionary lectures, which involved him in public controversy with Cardinal Patrick Moran. In 1898 Langham went to England to see his New Testament through the press. The subsequent burning of some testaments at the Roman Catholic mission at Namosi received much publicity in Australia. Langham's wife had helped his revision and was author of many Fijian hymns. Their adopted (European) daughter Annie Langham Lindsay died on 21 December 1901, just before the revised Old Testament was completed. His wife did not recover from this shock and died on 5 January 1902. Langham became a supernumerary in 1901 and travelled on deputationary work in Britain, mainly for the British and Foreign Bible Society, of which he was a life governor. He also shared in the 'simultaneous mission' of the Evangelical churches. In addition to the Fijian Bible he had published other works in Fijian, some in conjunction with other authors. Recommended by Sir William MacGregor, Langham was awarded a doctorate of divinity by the University of Glasgow. He died at Wilton Villa, Albion Grove, Hackney, on 21 June 1903 and was buried in Abney Park cemetery. Although he bequeathed a 'cannibal fork with human bone attached' to a sister in Melbourne, the rest of his Fijian collection was sold. He instructed his trustees to destroy his journals and correspondence but many of his original letters are in other collections. Physically impressive with leonine hair and beard, Langham cut his missionary role in the cloth of the schoolmaster. As a disciplinarian his punishments were severe but tempered with justice; he once insisted on being caned by a wrongfully punished boy. His relentless energy and simple piety won him renown as a great missionary by his denomination and those of the religious public familiar with the romanticized version of his career. Sepia toned carte de visite studio portrait of the Rev. Frederick Langham"Langham c.1873-77"rev frederick langam, wesleyan methodist missionary, minister, fiji

Rev Charles Lane (1823 - 1910) Wesleyan Methodist minister. The Observer 15 January 1910, p.36: The Rev. Charles Lane, better known In South Australian Methodism as "Father" Lane, died at his residence, Dorset Cottage, Magill, on Saturday, at the advanced age of 88 years. The deceased clergyman attended the Methodist Conference in 1900 —the year of his jubilee as a minister--and was accorded a vote of congratulation. Mr. Lane was born in Dorset, and be associated himself with the Congregational Sunday school at an early age, and when 16 years old took a practical part in religious matters. Then he removed to another town and joined the Methodist Church. In 1855 a request for a number of energetic Christian workers came from Australia, and 10 were sent out in the ship Walmer Castle, among the number Mr. Lane. He was received into the Victoria ministry in the following year, and received his first - charge at Ballarat. He proved a successful preacher in the early days of the Victorian goldfields, and accomplished much valuable work. He was impressive in the pulpit, humorous on. the platform, and welcome everywhere. About 1878 he wag transferred to the South Australian Conference, and from that time until being placed on the supernumerary list in 1889. he laboured in all the most important circuits. He was President of the Wesley an Conference in 1886, and displayed conspicuous ability in fulfilling the important duties associated with that office. He had resided at Magill for 17 years, and up to the time of his death had evinced a deep interest in work to which he had devoted .the best years of his life. Sepia toned carte de visite: seated studio portrait of the Rev. Charles LaneRev Chas Lanerev charles lane, methodist, minister, south australia

Rev Alexander W. Bray founded the Methodist Order of Knights in 1914, when he was a Sunday School teacher at Hurstville. He was later ordained and was stationed at: 1924 Barraba; 1925 Far West Mission; 1928 Rylstone; 1931 Goulburn; 1936 Lower Blue Mountains; 1940 Waratah-Broadmeadow; 1945 Annandale; 1952 Nowra; 1956 Boorowa; 1961 Dural. He was born c.1896, married Jean Stirling in 1928 and died in 1982.Informal B & W gloss photograph of the Rev Alex Bray standing talking to a man and a boy outside a church buildingRev Alex Bray, Founder 1917 Methodist Order of Knights

The Methodist Order of Knights was the official youth organisation of the Methodist Church of Australasia. It originated in Hurstville, NSW, on the 4th October 1914 by the then Mr and later Rev Alex Bray. Alex Bray was a Sunday School teacher and spoke to his class of the Knights of the Round Table. In 1917 the Order of Knights was officially recognised by the Sunday School Dept of the NSW Methodist Conference. Courts spread thoroughout Australia. In 1927 the High Court of NSW called for designs for a badge and in 1929 the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Australasia recognised the Order as an approved Organisation. In 1938 the Senior Section was organised into Degrees of Sincerity, Service and Sacrifice; the Junior Section into Pages' Degree with advancement to Esquire. In 1954 the Junior Section was reorganised into two groups: Pages 8 to 11 years and Esquires 12 to 15 years. The Knight's Motto: "Live Pure, Speak True, Right Wrong, Follow Christ the King, else wherefore born?" Courts of the Order: General Conference Department of the Christian Education - General Court - Provincial High Court - District Court - Local Court - Senior Court - Intermediate Court - Junior Court . Regalia: All members of the Intermediate and Senior Courts wore regalia consisting of a cloth shield superimposed by a cross of light and dark blue ribbons, and supported by a cloth collar. Esquire and Degree of Sincerity regalia: White collar and white shield. Degree of Service regalia: Green collar and shield. Degree of Sacrifice: Scarlet collar and shield. District Court regalia: Blue collar and gold shield. High Court regalia: Gold collar and purple sheild. General Court regalia: Purple collar and shield. Officers of the local courts wore their symbols as part of their regalia.White and blue paper folded pamphlet/poster with information about the Methodist Girls' Comradeship and Methodist Order of Knights. Information includes their laws, promises, pledges, mottos, sections and uniform. The pamphlet/poster has two posters showing members' uniforms.methodist order of knights, methodist girls' comradeship

Third Class tests were set for Pages 10 and 11 years old. Devotional required Pages to: Attend 40 out of 52 consecutive Sundays at church or Sunday school; repeat the Knight's Motto; Read one of a selection of books and tell the story in his own words (75-200 words) and answer set questions from the The Catechism of the Methodist Church Junior Section. [Methodist Church of Australasia Methodist Order of Knights Commanders' Handbook pg 23-24]Four round 3rd Class Devotional merit badges. Green background with blue embroidery. New.methodist order of knights

Third Class tests were set for Pages 10 and 11 years old. Social required Pages to: Assist at a Church social function; Assist at Sunday School, Home or Overseas Missions Appeals by asking for contributions; take part in a working bee. [Methodist Church of Australasia Methodist Order of Knights Commanders' Handbook pg 23-24]Four round 3rd Class Social merit badges. Green background with blue embroidery. New.methodist order of knights

Nicholson street church, Brunswick circuit. Contains: Foundation stone ceremony invitation of the new church on Saturday, 3 September, 1932 at 3pm; Memorial scroll with names of the officials, members of congregation, Sunday school scholars who availed themselves of the opportunity of signing the scroll; The Brunswick Methodist newsletter, August, September, October 1932); The Spectator Aug 31, 1932; The Argus 3 Sept, 1933.Square glass jar with a glass topping containing papers.nicholson street methodist church brunswick, time capsule

Blue cover with embossed roses in silver on front and blank back, 192 pagesfiction

Deep red board cover with an etching of a boy and his dog in black and green on the cover and blank back - 128 pagesfiction

Deep Lead Church (Methodist) A set of six photos taken between 1927 and 1930. The site where this weather board church was situated is directly opposite the brick Deep Lead school on the Western Highway. The sugar gums still remain. At previous times other denominations used the building. 113 Methodist Weatherboard church, Deep Lead with people in the doorway. Out the front is a car parked in front of a picket fence. Printed on back of photo "These photographs were taken between 1927 & 1930. At this time Methodist Church services were conducted there; Sunday school was also held there until about 1936. The church building was sold to the Anderson Family of Dadswell's Bridge and rebuilt into a private home". 113.01 Group of children. Back row Amy Rogers (Cray), Laura Rogers (Raeburn), Annie Rogers (Richards). Middle row Thelma Cray, Sylvia Cray (North), Alf Cray, Jack or George Cray, Charlie Bennett. Front row Pat Bennett (Peacock), Kit Wilson (Richards), Laurie Bennett, Lesley Bennett, Ken Bennett, Neil Bennett. 113.02 Deep Lead Service March 1930. Included in the photo are the following, Kit Wilson (Richards), Ruth Allen, Madge Hutley, Nell Lemin. 113.03 Congregation outside church with picket fence on the left. 113.04 Rev. F.C. Bremer Methodist Minister pictured with car. 113.05 last Methodist Service Deep Lead March 1930. Set of six black & white photographs. 113- Wooden church with people in the doorway & car in front of the picket fence. 113.01 group of children trees in the background. 113.02 group of 4 women standing at side of church. 113.03 group of people standing out the front of the church. 113.04 Minister in dust coat standing by car. 113.05 group of people stand in front of church.

A photograph of a timber honor board with gold text indicating the names of the from the Rubicon Street Sunday School who enlisted for service during World War One. rubicon street sunday school honor roll, rubicon street methodist sunday school, a. aird, j. aird, g. barnett, a. black, h. braidie, a. bridson, s. bridson, w. bridson, h. brittain, w. brittain, s. caddy, w. clarke, e. collins, f. dignam, n. flockhart, f. graham, c. gunn, w. gunn, l. hearn, w. hicks, p. holloway, r. holloway, arnold holst, f. giffen holst, john holst, e. hooker, j. humphreys, p. james, a. jarvis, g. jarvis, w. jenkins (2), a. jolly, c. jolly, g. jolly, j. kauffman, o. kauffman, p. jenkins - o. jennings, g. lawry, f. mayall, d. mcgrath, j. mckenzie, w. oakes, p. renfree, e. rickard, h. robertson, f. robinson, l. rowe, t. rowe, w. rowe, c. rowsell, l. rowsell, r. rosewall, h. rumler, c. sheers, s. sheers, j. smallman, o. smallman, a. smith, c. smith, h. smith, n. smith, h. straight, h. stanley, r. stanley, w. thompson (2), a. vale, s. vial, j. wearmouth, j. willaton, t. wills, h. williams, h.s. williams, m. williams, d. drummond, h. drummond, j. drummond, r. proctor, p. patten, h. pengelly, world war one, honur board

A copy of a white piece of paper with creases photocopiedThis meeting was held at Winters' Flat below Magpie List of subscriptions and donations towards the purchase of a Tent to be erected on the Balaarat [sic] diggings, for the purposes of public worship in connexion with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Also for the establishment of a Sunday School and of a Day School if found practicable. March 1853 Mr James Jones, Mr Joseph Wearne, Mr Thomas Wearne, Mr McCulchan, Mr Mathews and family, Mr & Mrs Harding, Mr Rees, Mr Charles Axborough, Mr John Henderson, Mr Alexander Ross, Mr Roger Parsons, Mr Baker, Mr Isaac Cooper, Mr Hill & family, Mr & Mrs Douglass, Mr & Mrs Reynolds, Mr Benjamin Sargent, Mr Thompson, Mr Dunstan, Mr Moyle, Mr Fletcher, Mr & Mrs Odie [sic], Mr William Wearne, Mr Brady, Mr Carter, Mr Moulton, Mr James, Mrs Crowfield, Mr Smith, Mr Crombie, Mr John Day, or Davy, Mr Adams, Buninyong, Mr Joseph Wearne, ?, A friendjames jones, mr joseph wearne, mr thomas wearne, mr mcculchan, mr mathews and family, mr & mrs harding, mr rees, mr charles axborough, mr john henderson, mr alexander ross, mr roger parsons, mr baker, mr isaac cooper, mr hill & family, mr & mrs douglass, mr & mrs reynolds, mr benjamin sargent, mr thompson, mr dunstan, mr moyle, mr fletcher, mr william wearne, mr brady, mr carter, mr moulton, mr james, mrs crowfield, mr smith, mr crombie, mr john day, or davy, mr adams, buninyong, oddie, mr and mrs oddie

Sunday School Photo. Standing L - R are Ken Jeeves, Dorothy Jeeves, Monnie Bowman, Edna Hodgson, Laurie Bowman, Billie Hodgson. Seated L - R are Betty Jeeves (Elizabeth Law-Smith), Don Jeeves, Irene Jeeves, Heather Jeeves, Esme Jeeves, Norma Jeeves, Laurence Jeeves. Esme, Heather and Dorothy Jeeves are the children of Walter and Dorothy Jeeves. Norma, Irene, Donald and Laurence Jeeves are the children of Norman and Adelie Jeeves (Worland) Ken and Betty Jeeves are the children of Hubert and Daisy Jeeves (Rowse)elizabeth jeeves, fiveways, kalorama methodist church, methodist church, ken jeeves, dorothy jeeves, monnie bowman, edna hodgson, laurie bowman, billie hodgson, don jeeves, irene jeeves, heather jeeves, esme jeeves, norma jeeves, laurence jeeves

The initial Methodist Church at Long Gully was a slab hut and in 1855 the first brick building was erected. This was replaced in 1865 by a brick church designed by architects Vahland and Getzschmann. In 1877 the present church, designed by the same architects was built, with the 1865 building becoming the Sunday school. A large part of the congregation was Cornish miners of whom there were large numbers in Long Gully and California Gully.A4 Sheet printed both sides of page, sketch of Long Gully Uniting Church on the front cover.religion, lydia chancellor collection, history, church

Bible Christian schools were Sunday schools that were operated primarily by the Methodist church but there is some evidence that the Salvation Army may also have played a part. A new schoolroom was built in 1884.A4 Sheet printed both sides of page, Bible Christian Sunday School Long Gully, Anniversary February, 12th, 13th, and 14th, 1893 - list the conductor Mr F Williams and the Organists Misses L M Vercoe and M Penreath. Morning, Afternoon and Evening Order of Prayers and Hyms. Printed by Bolton and Sons, Printers Bendigo.religion, lydia chancellor collection, history, church

Stawell Methodist Church. Main Street Stawell. Original Post Card. Murray Views No. 29. Sunday School behind Church on left.stawell

Stawell Methodist Church. Main Street Stawell. Sunday school has had modern front added. Wesley Centre.stawell

Joyce L Aitken Clarmont Callawadda. Callawadda Sunday school 17th October 1931stawell religion

Benson Street Methodist Church – now Uniting Church 1936 Rear L. to R. - Eunice Forsyth, ?, ?, Rae Homan, Yvonne Mau, Joan Shepherd Front L.to R. – Joan Thornton, Nancy Dunstan, ?, Barbara Burgess A black and white photograph of ten girls dressed in their 'Sunday best' or school uniform. Most are wearing straw sun hats. Some girls are identified.benson street methodist church, benson street uniting church, (miss) eunice forsyth, (miss) rae homan, (miss) yvonne mau, (miss) joan shepherd, (miss) joan thornton, (miss) nancy dunstan, (miss) barbara burgess, churches, sunday schools

The original Methodist (Wesleyan) Church was built on the corner of Alexandra Crescent and Windsor Lane in 1888. It was enlarged in 1892. In 1908 this building was removed to Valonia Avenue by horse-drawn dray. The brick church was built in 1915 after which the earlier building became the Sunday School. In 1977 the Methodist Church joined with others to become the Uniting Church. In more recent times, the brick church has been painted but architectural details visible in this photo can still be discerned.Black and white photo of a brick and rendered building taken from diagonally opposite across Canterbury Road looking to the north-west. The church sits behind a woven-wire fence with an opening at the front and at the side to a portico off Valonia Street. On the RHS is the church hall and on the LHS a small part of the adjacent house can be seen.surrey hills methodist (wesleyan) church, surrey hills uniting church

Donor identification was that man in back row on left was Henry Beckett; 2nd from left was Emma Beckett, later Mrs John Gray. The Beckett family were important in the establishment of the Wesleyan / Methodist church in Surrey Hills and adjacent areas. Emma Beckett married John Gray in 1888 at 'Guildford Villa' in Essex Road, Surrey Hills which was the Beckett family home.B&W photo of a group of 15 women and 9 men standing and seated in front of a light-coloured weatherboard wall. surrey hills wesleyan sunday school, surrey hills wesleyan church, surrey hills methodist church, churches, (mr) henry beckett, (miss) emma beckett, (mrs) john gray, beckett family

Views from St Johns 1973Black and white photograph aerial view of Braim House Methodist Church and it's Manse with Sunday school in backgroundphoto, st johns, tower, james street, aerial, methodist, weslyian, braim house

Methodist Church (Wesleyan) Interior 1908Black and white photographchurch, sunday-school, building, james street

Methodist Church Port Fairy detail of buildingBlack and white photographchurch, sunday-school, building

SUMMARY - Ernest W (Bon) Barrie, 1909 – 1985 Profile Melton Mechanics Institute Member 1935 - 1982i Trustee 1952 - 1982 Life Member 1968 Years of service – 47 years He constructed and provided a public address system which was used at Melton and district halls and sports grounds for a wide variety of community events including school sports, gymkhanas, theatrical productions and processions. Fire Brigade Melton Fire Brigade (and predecessor Bush Fire Brigade) Apparatus Officer, 1945 - 1953 Captain, 1951 - 1965 Mt Cotterill Fire Brigades’ Group Elected Group Officer, on the formation of the Group, 1967. As Group Communications Officer he operated the VL3 LY base radio station from home on a 24 hour basis for fire brigades of Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Truganina and Werribee. With his brother Edgar, he built the first Melton Fire Truck. It was housed on the family property until a fire station was constructed in the Melton township. Recipient of the Queens Medal, 1979 Recognised for 44 years of service on the Melton Fire Brigade Memorial Wall Plaque, dedicated May 2013 Melton State School, no 430 Committee – School Correspondent (secretarial and financial role) 34 years of Service Provided his Amplifier Equipment for events and the annual district School Sports from 1939-1973. Donated the House Athletic Shield Melton and District Historical Society 1968 – 1985 President and foundation member Willows Historical Park – supported the establishment of the park and contributed many volunteers hours in the construction and landscaping of the precinct Member, Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies, 1980s Shire of Melton Councillor South Riding, 1969-1971 Member of the Water Trust Melton Uniting Church Melton Uniting Church (and its predecessors the Methodist, Methodist-Presbyterian churches). A lifetime association which extended from childhood when he attended Sunday school until his death in 1985. Member of the Presbyterian Board of Management for more than 25 years in which he held positions of Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, Board member of the Parish Council and Member of the Committee of Management. He was a Sunday school teacher 1933. Community development With Mr RC Butler met with Shire Council in 1937 to canvass residents to ascertain prospective Electric consumers in the district. Electricity was subsequently turned on at dusk on 20th December 1939. Melton Progress Association, including Melton Musical, Elocutionary and Vocal Competitions, Vice President 1939 1940 Melton Development Association, 1960s Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC)ii Carried out plane spotting at Shire Office and spotting tower in Melton and later from home until 1944/45. Agriculture and farming Progress and Better Farming Association, Melton. Honorary Secretary, 1935 Member, Agricultural Engineering Society Australia c1960-1985 A successful grower of wheat, oats and barley, he planted experiment plots and held Field Days on the “Darlingsford” property. He later diversified into other grains and sheep (wool and meat). He took a enthusiastic interest in agricultural engineering and was keen to introduce innovative ideas that improved the productivity of farms and farming practices. In the mid 1950 he conducted trials during harvest on the family property of the original mechanical hay fork built on a British Bedford truck by Bill Gillespie. This design was further refined in collaboration with the Gillespie brothers and resulted in the construction the hydraulically operated tractor mounted hay fork. The innovative design of the hay fork created interest from far and wide and was quickly taken up by farmers because it significantly reduced hand labouring of loading sheaves of hay with a pitch fork. His father established chaff mills in Melton, Rockbank, Parwan, Diggers Rest in the first decade of 1900 and in 1915 went into partnership with JR Schutt to establish the Schutt & Barrie Pty. Ltd. Chaff Cutting and Flour Mill in West Footscray. When it ceased trading in 1968 the directors were: Ernest W Barrie and Thomas L Barrie, R, A, and M Schutt. Awards Queens Medal, 1979 Rotary Award for Community Service, 1980 Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebrations contributions, 1985 Service held at Melton Uniting Church local identities

This document is has been compiled by Wendy Barrie daughter of Ernest (Bon) and Edna Barrie and granddaughter of Charles E and Jessie M Barrie. Ernie Barrie operated a travelling Chaff Cutter in the St Arnaud area where his parents William and Mary Ann had taken up land at Coonooer West in 1873. Ernie commenced his working life with a team of bullocks and a chaff cutter. The earliest connection he had with Melton was in 1887. By the beginning of the 20th century Ernie and his father William and brothers, William, Samuel, James Edwin,[Ted] Robert, Arthur and Albert have been associated with farming and milling in the Melton district. In the early 1900’s Ernie and his brother Ted were in partnership in a Chaff cutting and Hay processing Mill on the corner of Station and Brooklyn road Melton South. The mill was managed by William for a time. By 1906 Charles Ernest and James Edwin were in partnership in the Station Road mill when a connecting rail line across Brooklyn Road for a siding was constructed to the Melton Railway Station. In 1911 the Mill’s letterhead shows C.E. BARRIE Hay Pressing and Chaff Cutting Mills. Melton Railway Station. Telephone No 1 Melton. This Mill as sold to H S K Ward in 1916 and stood until 1977 when it burnt down in a spectacular fire. Ernie built a house at Melton South beside the Chaff Mill at Station Road in 1906 and married Jessie May Lang in August at the Methodist Church. Jessie’s father was Thomas Lang. He came to Melton in 1896 and was the Head Teacher at Melton State School No 430 until he retired in 1917. They had 9 children with 8 surviving to adulthood. Jessie and Ernie had 6 sons and 3 daughters. All the children lived at Darlingsford. In April 1910 the family left Melton for a brief period and moved to a farm in Trundle in NSW. They returned to Melton and purchased Darlingsford in May 1911. For a time during WW1 they lived at Moonee Ponds near the Lang grandparents at Ascot Vale. Mary and Bon attended Bank St State School. The children developed diphtheria in 1916 and their youngest boy, Cecil died of complications. Mary and Bon were taken to Fairfield Hospital and both recovered. At the end of the war influenza broke out the family returned to Darlingsford and shared the home for a short while with the Pearcey family who had been working the farm. By 1922 the family had and grown and Edgar, Tom, Horace, Jessie, Joyce and Jim were living a Darlingsford. Ernie continued during the 1920’s working the farm and attend his many civic and community commitments. Two 8 clydesdale horse teams were used to work the land which meant early rising for the horses to be fed and harnessed to commence the days work. In 1916 Ernie also became involved in a Chaff Mill on the corner of Sunshine and Geelong Road West Footscray, which at the time was being run by John Ralph Schutt. It was known an Schutt Barrie. A flour mill was added at a later stage. Other Schutt and Barrie mills were situated at Parwan and Diggers Rest. Another mill was situated beside the railway line at Rockbank. The Footscray mill ceased operation in 1968 Ernie spent a lot of time and energy at the Parwan Mill and travelling around Parwan and Balliang farms, where he came to know many of the families in the district. Ernies commitment to the civic development to the Melton and district was extensive, he was involved with a number of large events during the 1920’s such as the Melton Exhibitions and the 1929 Back to Melton Celebrations. He was a member of the Australian Natives Association at the turn of the century. He was Chairman of the School Committee at Melton State School 430 and the Melton South State School in thw1920s. He donated the land for a Hall for Melton South in 1909, known as Exford Hall and later in 1919 renamed Victoria Hall. The Hall was demolished in 1992. He was a Councillor, JP, and Vice President and President of the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall Committee in 1915- 1916. He was a member of the Methodist Church and later the Scots Presbyterian Church. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School of the Methodist Church to 1910 and later Scots Presbyterian Church until 1931. This is reflected in the theme of children in the stained glass window which was dedicated in his memory by his wife Jessie as a gift to the Scots Church. Charles Ernest Barrie made many generous donations to many charities who supported young people and children. In 1918 Jessie and Ernie made the first donation to a very prominent Victorian charity whose work still continues. Yooralla. In July 1931 Ernie’s untimely death was a major blow to the family and the Melton community. To this day people still vividly recall the day they lined the streets for his funeral. The day of the funeral is recalled as the day Melton stood as two of their prominent citizens who tragically died on the same dayPhotograph of Charles Ernest Barrie taken from Scenes at Melton and Old Residentslocal identities