John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, the son of Mathew Robson and Hannah Sproat. Hesailed to Australia on the "Arabian", landing at Port Phillip in 1854. Obituary DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. AN EXTREMELY VERSATILE MAN. General regret was expressed at the death yesterday morning at Miss Garnett's private hospital, of Mr John Robson, musician and and elocutonist and one of Ballarat's oldest, best known and most respected citizens. Mr Robson had been sitting for a few weeks, and his medical adviser, diagnosed his complaint as appendicitis, which afflicted, him in such a severe form that an operation was deemed to be absolutely necessary. He was removed to Miss Garnett's private hospital, and about a week ago he was operated upon. Mr Robson, being a man of robust constitution, stood the shock of the operation well, and he was making good headway towards recovery when the spell of hot weather set in, and caused exhaustion. Heart failure followed, and exhaustion the attention of his medical adviser, and the careful nursing he received, the end came peacefully at the time stated above. Mr John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, in , and he was therefore 72 years of age. Mr Robson's father, who was a contractor, had much to do with the building of the City of Newcastle. After passing through minor schools, Mr John Robson entered the academy of Professor Ross, and soon rose to a foremost position in the classes. When his studies were completed he was apprenticed to an architect and for a time studied the technique of this important branch of his father's calling. His adaptability for the work was great, and hopes were entertained that he would rise to a high position in the profession. Then came glowing reports of the wonderful Australian gold discoveries. Mr Robson’s father decided to migrate to these parts, and he sent a son to prepare the way. Believing that tools and timber might not be procured in Australia. Mr Robson, senr, constructed a portable wooden residence, which was shipped in pieces on the White Star liner Arabian which brought the family over. In 1854 Mr John Robson, who was then nearly 17 years of age, landed at Port Phillip, and with the other members of the family came on to Ballarat, which place he made his home to the end. When he first reached Ballarat, Mr Robson joined in the search for gold, but not being strong enough for this rough work, he turned his attention to carpentering. This he did not care much about, and in 1858 he was appointed a teacher in St. Paul's Day School, Ballarat, but in the following year he relinquished this position and became exchange clerk in the local branch of the National Bank. Being adapted to this quickly made himself acquainted with the details of a banker’s profession, and his rise was rapid. In the year 1871, about 12 years after he joined the bank, he was appointed manager, and for four years occupied that position with conspicuous success. He was connected with the National Bank for eighteen years, and in 1875 he entered business on his own account. With his brother, Mr Wm. Robson, he erected red-gum sawmills at Gunbower, on the River Murray. Subsequently he was offered the management of the Australian and European Bank in mills. In 1886, he accepted the position and held it until the bank was absorbed by the Commercial Bank of Australia. For a time he lived privately, still, how ever, holding his interest in the saw mills. In 1886, he accepted, the position of manager of the Ballarat branch of the Mercantile Bank of Australia. This bank was closed in 1892, and Mr Robson retired, altogether from commercial circles. In the meantime his brother died, and the saw-mills were sold. Mr Robson held a very important position in music, in fact he for many years was looked upon as the leading musician in Ballarat, he being master of quite a variety of instruments. In 1864. he was appointed conductor of the old Harmonic Society in this city, and subsequently conductor of the Ballarat Liedertafel. Under his leadership this society attained a high state of efficiency, which has since been well-maintained. Many years ago Mr Robson formed an operatic company from amongst Ballarat residents, and such beautiful operas as “Lucrezia Borgia' "Lucia di Lammermoor," “Ernani,' La Sonnambula,” and others were successfully rendered. As an elocutionist, Mr Robson attained much prominence, he being recognised as one of the most capable teachers in Ballarat. He was president of the one-time Ballarat Shakespearian Dramatic Club, which under his direction, from time to time produced Shakespeare’s masterpieces. In this, too, he took the chief characters, the roles of Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, and Shylock, all being powerfully represented by him. For some years prior to his demise Mr Robson, acted as a teacher of music, and elocution, and many of his pupils, competed with great success at the Ballarat and other competitions. Some years ago he acted as adjudicator at the South street competitions, when he gave every satisfaction, and his services were frequently secured to judge at competitions in other parts of the State and in other states of the Commonwealth. At the Ballarat band contests every year, he was a conspicuous figure, and he always acted as leader of the massed bands, by whom his appearance was always enthusiastically greeted. In his younger days he took a keen interest in several forms of sport, was a successful oarsman, one of the best amateur boxers of his weight and as a billiard player was able to hold his own with professionals. 'Mr Robson was an earnest adherent of the Church of England, and in social and other organisations he from time to time held important positions. As a Anglican churchman, he was widely respected, being the official principal and lay Canon of the Cathedral, a member of the Bishops Council, and a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order. and was a Past Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Victoria, an office which he filled with the greatest credit. He was also a member of the Old Colonists' Association and the Mechanics' Institute, was at one time vice-president of the Art Gallery was once a member of the School of Mines Council, and was many years ago made a Justice of the Pence. On many occasions he was asked to stand for Parliament, as a representative of Ballarat and on one occasion he consented to do so, but subsequently retired without going to the poll in favor of the late Mr Daniel Brophy. He was also often pressed to stand for both the Ballarat East and City Councils, but he declined to allow himself to be nominated. Mr Robson was an active gentleman, and a brilliant conversationalist. His courtesy, high mental and moral endowments, and warm open-heartedness, made him a most interesting and congenial companion. During his long residence in Ballarat, which city he declined to sever his connected with, he was well known and much courted, and was looked up on as one of the most prominent citizens, and his loss will be very severely felt. Some years ago a portrait of Mr Robson, in full Masonic regalia, was painted by he late Mr Stanton Bowman, and was presented by Mr Robson to the citizens, and it was hung in the City Hall, where it is always admired by visitors. The late Mr John Robson never married, and with his brother, James, lived for many years in Eureka street, Ballarat. The two brothers were nearly always together, and as they walked the streets with arms linked, they were frequently referred to as the Siamese twins. The only Australian relative of the late Mr John Robson is his brother. Mr James Robson, who hardly left the bedside during John's illness, and to him the blow has been a very severe one. In his bereavement he will have the heartfelt sympathy not only of the whole of the residents of Ballarat, but of people in all parts of the State. When the news of Mr Robson’s death became known the flags were flown at half-mast at the City and Town Halls, and the Old Colonists’ Hall, out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at the Old Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege will leave “Rothbury," Eureka street, Mr Robson’s late residence, at 3 o'clock, for St. Paul’s Church, where there will be a short service conducted by the vicar, the Rev T. A. Colebrook. (Ballarat Star, January 1910)Photographic portrait of John Robson, member of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.john robson, old colonists' association of ballarat, old colonists' club

On August 23rd, 1949, S. S. TIME was on voyage from Sydney to Melbourne with a cargo of sugar (3,000 tons), timber, general cargo and coal, when she was wrecked on Corsair Rock, entrance of Port Philip Bay. Read more at wrecksite: https://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?57395The S.S. Time was a land mark vessel in Queenscliff and surrounding areas from August 23rd, 1949, when it was wrecked on Corsair Rock in the entrance of Port Philip Bay until the early 60s when it broke up in a storm.A brass Compass from SS Time mounted on a wooden frameNo 857 E Easdailess time, compass

Sextant used by Bill Virtue, an apprentice on the Adelaide Steamship Co. ship 'Manoora' in 1957Label on the book indicates that the sextant was examined by the National Physical Museum Kew observatory, Richmond Surrey England in 1901Sextant in timber box made around 1901 in the UK.Examined by National Physical Museum Kew Observatory Richmond Surrey Eng 1901sextant, navigation, 'manoora', adelaide steamship co, bill virtue

The steamship, SS Australia, was built in Greenock, Scotland in 1892, for the P & O Steam Navigation Company. Australia was considered to be one of the most luxurious vessels afloat and she held the speed record from England to Australia at the time. On 21st June 1904, due to pilot error, the Australia hit the notorious Corsair Rock, part of the Point Nepean Reef, on the eastern side of Port Philip heads, opening a gaping 5 meter hole along her keel. Passengers and some of the crew were rescued by craft sent from Queenscliff.Relic from a significant wreck on Corsair Rock at Point NepeanMetal letter A mounted on timber board in front with salvage account on the backAccount of salvage of artefactsign, ships name, ss australia

Adelaide Steamship Co. MV 'Manunda' built Glasgow 1927, commenced coastal passenger service in Australia 1929, converted to 2/1 Australian Hospital Ship (AHS) in 1940 for service to Middle East, New Guinea and New Zealand. Returned to coastal trade in 1948, sold to Japan 1956, broken up in 1957. 9 drawer timber desk with brass drawer pull handles. Several stamps on the inside of top middle draw - 'Radio Maintenance Store, Transmitting Station Essendon' and 'Paul.J.Barton, 33 Bellbird Cres, Vermont 3133''Manunda' stamped on back of deskship, furniture, manunda, doctor'sdesk, desk, steamship, ahs

Timber and glass skylight from the 'SS Shandon'.skylight, ships fittings, 'ss shandon'

On August 23rd, 1949, S. S. TIME was on voyage from Sydney to Melbourne with a cargo of sugar (3,000 tons), timber, general cargo and coal, when she was wrecked on Corsair Rock, entrance of Port Philip Bay. The Australian Red Ensign is the official flag to be flown at sea by Australian registered merchant ships. The S.S. Time was a land mark vessel in Queenscliff and surrounding areas from August 23rd, 1949, when it was wrecked on Corsair Rock in the entrance of Port Philip Bay until the early 60s when it broke up in a storm. Australian Red Ensign from the salvage done on the wreck of the S.S.TimeSS Time hand written on calico edge of flagflag, red ensign, s.s.time, corsair rock, rip, port phillip

These bale measuring rulers were used to calculate bale sizes when loading in ships hold.Obsolete tool is of historical significance to explain past practicesTimber measuring ruler for measuring dimensions of bales being loaded and stacked in ships hold. Outer arms are extendable to suit bale widthsIllegibleinstrument, bale measuring ruler, cargo handling

From 1945 a sawmill, the Calco Mill, was formed to cart sawn timber initially from the Zappelli's property on Denherts Track. The plant was later shifted to Pul's property and, in 1951, finally moved to a new mill in the Beech Forest railway yard. Potato output also rose, around 280 hectares and was shipped exclusively by rail until 1955. The railway was very busy, in fact so busy that potato farmers and especially saw millers started agitating for road transport.G41 locomotive, four NQR loaded wagons, and a louvred van near the Goods Shed. Next line, three loaded and three empty NQR wagons. In the foreground near the station building, a louvred van. A water tank and timber mill in the background. B/Wbeech forest; railways; loco g41;

Page 2223 titled Contracts Accepted - (Series 1860). Contracts accepted are for Raising and removing sunken ship Marilla; Removal of Toll-gate from Mount Alexander Road and re-erection of same at Middle Gully; Erection of toll-house on Melbourne/Ballarat Road near Ballan; Erection of toll-house on Bendigo Road at Kangaroo Flat; Castlemaine to Ballarat - Erection of toll-house at Campbell's Creek; Construction of 2870 chains of Lower Western Road, west of Camperdown; Erection of two bridges and other improvements on the Clunes to Amherst Road; Erection of timber bridge, & c., over Two-mile Creek - Beechworth to Bowman Forest; Formation of roadway at head of Buckland Gap - Beechworth to Bowman Forest; Construction of culvert, & c., Rowe's Creek - Beechworth to Bowman Forest; Ararat and South-western sea-board road - erection of bridge over Dennicull Creek and other improvements. Land Sales - 4 Lots - Elsternwick, parish of Prahran, County of Bourke; 2 Lots - Dandenong, County of Bourke; 20 Lots - Lillydale, Parish of Yering, County of Evelyn, 1 suburban Lot - County of Evelyn, Parish of Yering; 1 Allotment - Romsey, County of Bourke, Parish of Lancefield; 5 Lots - County of Mornington, Parish of Langwarrin, and 2 Lots - County of Mornington, Parish of Fingal. Lots to be sold at the Auction Rooms of Mr. William Perry, Great Collins Street, Melbourne. A F A Greaves, President, Office of the Board of Land and Works, Melbourne.bridge, construction, timber bridges, board of works, melbourne - contracts accepted & land sales, 'marilla', f m pingree, jno r bailey, robert heron, john gray, donald ross, hector mclean, c j glynn and co, john nicholls and co, michael cleary, thomas cairncross, brown and gibson, queen victoria, mr william perry, mr de castella, willoughby, barker, a f a greeves, board of land and works melbourne

Originally located on the Queenscliff Pier from 1856. It was known as the waiting shed for registered fishermen. It was moved from Queenscliff pier to near slipway in 1960, then to Princess Park in the 1970s and to the museum in late 1980. Henry Zanoni, a fisherman was responsible for painting the many pictures of ships on the inside walls.Waiting Shed for Registered Fishermen Weatherboard - Timber Cream Weatherboards and Brown Trimfishermen waiting shed, queenscliff

In 1974, this 18 foot (5.5 meter) diesel-powered workboat was one of the last boats built to operate from the pilot cutter Wyuna. These boats were used to transfer pilots from the Wyuna to the ship being serviced or vice versa. Until 1946 they were propelled by two oars then simplex two-stroke petrol engines were fitted followed by diesel engines. The Pilot Service Shipwrights built the boats in a shed which stood on the site of the present Pilot Station, Tobin Drive, North of Shortland Bluff. The design is based on a Gig and was developed by the Pilots as suitable for the severe conditions at the entrance to Port Phillip. To understand how these boats were used view the film "Through The Rip" on the video in the Exhibition Hall.Close association with QueenscliffTimber Workboat used to transfer pilots between Wyuna and ship requiring servicepilot service, wyuna, workboat, boat buiding, port phillip sea piots

The Melbourne Harbour Trust Commission purchased the steam dredge SIR WILLIAM MATHEWS on 10 October 1941 from the Western Australian Government. Although the dredge was described as a suction dredge it was in fact a bucket dredge. After an overhaul, the vessel was renamed the GEORGE KERMODE and commenced operation in Victorian waters on 22 June 1942. The vessel was hired out to the Port of Burnie in 1945-46 but continued in the ownership of the Trust until 1 April 1976 when it was scuttled by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands as part of their artificial reef program. This program resulted in a number of reefs being established in Port Phillip Bay, including one off Carrum containing the wooden steamer URALBA.Timber and brass ship's wheel from center ladder hopper dredge George Kermode (formerly Sir William Mathews). Built Paisley Scotland 1914.noneships wheel, scuttled vessels, artificial reefs, george kermode

A fid is a conical tool traditionally made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas.Fids where traditionally used for working with rope and/or sails on sailing ships. They are still in use today for working with rope.Large timber fid with a metal ring attached to wide end for strength used for splicing rope or cable.fid, sail making, rope splicing

Anieura. Four-masted wooden schooner, 1328 tons. Built California, 1918 as the Oronite. Reg. Melbourne, 1928. Lbd 236.5 x 42 x 29. Last captain, de Carteret. Stripped of anything of value at the Yarra Street Pier, Geelong, in 1932; burnt to recover her copper and brass, and sunk off Avalon Bach, two kilometres east of Point Lillias. She had been seized for debt. @ Her wreckage is scattered and overgrown, covered in light silt in 4 metres. [NWR],[LC],[NSC]A relic from the broken up Barque 'Anieura' in 1932/33: BARQUE ANIEURA. Left to Sink in Mud. GEELONG Monday -The hulk of the barque Anieura, which has been idle in Corio Bay for more than four years, was towed to a spot near Bird Rock on the northern shores of the outer harbour on Monday. The Anieura was built for the timber trade and made a journey to Australia. The owners then decided that the vessel was unsuitable for this trade, and she was sold to an Australian firm. The ship was placed in Corio Bay, and remained at anchorage for about three years before an effort was made to sell her. This being unsuccessful most of the fittings, were disposed of, and the hulk was taken to Fletcher's pier to be out of the way of shipping. The Victorian Salvage Co's offer to the Geelong Harbor Trust to dispose of the hulk was accepted. The 300 tons of road metal ballast was removed, and a quantity of timber taken out. The vessel was towed through the channel this morning and run aground near Bird Rock just outside of the north-east extremity of the bar where it is away from shipping. More timbers will be stripped from the vessel, and it is likely that she will be allowed to sink into the mud. The Argus Tuesday 4 April 1933. A wooden bunk from the 'Anieura', drawers underneath with brass handlesanieura, bunk, port phillip

Various artifacts from the steamship 'Wattle'. The Steam Tug Wattle, a steel ship, was built as a harbor tug in 1933. Steam is supplied from a two-furnace Scotch Marine wet-back boiler which was originally fired with dewatered and filtered waste oil but has recently been converted to burn distillate for environmental and maintenance reasons. It was launched at Cockatoo Island on 27 June 1933 by Cockatoo Docks & Engineering Co. Ltd. (CODECO) on order from the Commonwealth Shipping Board. Now fully restored it operates excursions in Port Phillip and the Yarra. One of a very few still operating steam tugs.Brass inclinator mounted on timber plate.steam tug wattle, harbour tugs

In 1883 The Orient Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., of London signed a contract with the Government of New South Wales, Australia to carry emigrants from the United Kingdom. The Company would be paid £15 per head for up to four hundred persons and £14 and 10 Shillings for numbers between four and six hundred persons per voyage.A reproduction print of a painting by AV Gregory of the vessel Ormus, 1887. The print is mounted under glass and framed in a dark brown timber frame.rms ormuz, reproduction print

The Romolo was built by Lloyd Triestino Soc.Anon.di Nav., reg. Genoa and on 15 June 1940 she was sunk by H.M.A.S. MANOORA near Cape York peninsular after the crew set fire & abandoned the ship.An oil painting of the SS Romolo in a timber frame.Romoloss romolo, hmas manoora, wwii

Constructed with timber from the wreck of the Pribislaw by3-masted ship modeled on the Pribislaw and constructed from this ship's wood, salvaged in the Shetland Islands. On timber base with descriptive panel. Ship complete with trimmings - German flag, sails, ladders, steering wheel etc.In printed type, cut out and stuck onto the back end of the model ship 'Pribislaw' and 'Hamburg'.maritime technology, model ships, pribislaw, 1849, 1850, german migration, model ship, hamburg

The first metal working machine used by David & James Thompson in 1878. Brought by ship by David Thompson who used it on the journey to make working models.The first machine used by David & James Thompson in their engineering section.Treadle lath for metal turning. Some brass accessories for metal working are laid out on a timber bench attached to the back of the lathe. Painted gunmetal grey and mounted on a black wooden platform for display purposes.Nonemachinery; tools; metalwork

Wreckage from unknown ship. Found on "big beach" at Telegraph Point. 2002. Made of wood with corroded metal fragments, the hatch is undated wreckage from an unknown ship. The remnants of shipwreck fabric have second level contributory significance for their interpretive and historic value as artefacts that highlight the distinctive history of the Gabo Island Lightstation.Timber & steel hatch cover from ship.(wrekage) Rectangular shaped piece of wood with a circular shape cut from centre. Corroded metal fragments have adhered to the wood.

The five types of nails include a stamped steel nail made for wooden flooring; four copper nails used for boat building found at various locations on the island; two steel nails removed from the lantern room door during restoration in 2002 which possibly came with the Chance Bros. lantern room kit delivered in 1862; three galvanised steel nails used to pin the railway track to sleepers and decking on the jetty (the rail track carried a small trolley for unloading stores from supply ships); and a square copper nail found on the rocky shore on Tullaberga Island close to the location of the Monumental City wreck of 1853. The huge American steamer, Monumental City, was wrecked on 15 May 1853. Built in 1850, the ship was the first screw-propulsion steamer to cross the Pacific and was heading back to Sydney after dropping off Californians heading for the Victorian goldfields. Thirty-seven lives were lost, including the owner of the ship, Peter Strobel. A medal was awarded by Sydney residents to Charles Plummer who swam ashore with a line from the wreck. The tragedy renewed the urgency for a lighthouse on Gabo Island, and in 1862 when this was achieved an obelisk was erected as a memorial to those who perished. That year, Victorian PWD architect and designer of the lightstation buildings, Charles Maplestone, gave the following instructions: ‘You may remove the remains of the poor unfortunate shipwrecked of the Monumental City to the site on Gabo you propose but take scrupulous care to collect all the remains and inter them decently under the monument. Pray save any relics’.246 Heritage Victoria has 39 artefacts listed under the Historic Shipwrecks Act (S473) with a clear provenance to the Monumental City. While the copper nail has no documented provenance, it still has contributory significance as part of a diverse assemblage of relics that help to interpret the history of the Gabo Island Lightstation and the numerous shipwrecks that have occurred in its vicinity since the mid nineteenth century..1 Steel nail - flat. Stamped. This type of nail was used for secret nailing of flooring. Source of this nail is unknown. .2 Copper nails. This type of nail was used for boat building. Found at various locations around island. .3 Steel nails. Extracted from lantern room door during restoration 2002. .4 Galvanised steel nails. Used to pin railway track to timber sleepers and decking on jetty. Rail track carried a small trolley used during the unloading of stores from supply ships. .5. Copper nail square. This nail was found on the rocky shore line on Tullaberga Island close to the location of the wreck of the "Monumental City" wrecked May 1853. Nail found in June 2000.

This rocket equipment has been used in various lifeboat and rocket stations on Victorian Coast. It is unclear if this is the original rocket equipment from Port Campbell. This equipment, if not original to the site, has been used in rescue operations and is identical to the equipment that was in use at Port Campbell from C.1890 onwardsRope handled timber box with faking pins. The Rocket Line was attached to the rocket and fired over the ship in distress. The light rocket line, was folded in such a way that it paid out easily as the rocket shot through the air.

Red print on Certificate template. "For Liberty ANZACS FOR JUSTICE". This is a blank certificate.Certificate - paper, red print on scroll, illustrated in colour - top to bottom, blank scroll; 2 soldiers and flag surrounded by 6 flags, silhouette in white of Australian map, oval shape with ship and troops. Further side decoration yellow and green wattle flowers and foliage. Pale blue background. Certificate template - possibly available to Shires and localities to customise as required. frame - timber, with varnish finish in natural tones, glass front and cardboard back.framed, ww1, certificate

History of the PribislawThe two timbers on display are salvaged from the wreck of the ship 'Pribislaw' which transported the Ziebell family and the other Westgarthtown settlers from Germany to Australia. The model of the 'Pribislaw' was handmade by Geoffrey Borrack, a Ziebell family descendantFree-standing display board containing diorama in centre of shipwrecked Pribislaw. Information given of the ship itself. Attached to the bottom are 2 wooden sections of the Pribislaw ship with brass nails. Wooden sections have been fitted to a wood stand for display purposes.As per photomaritime technology, ship relics, information, board, drawings, documents, pribislaw, 1849, 1850, german migration, ship