Transcript: Athenaeum building celebrates 170 years Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/11/2009 Reporter: Lisa Whitehead Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth. Transcript KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne's Athenaeum building has, in one form or another, provided education and entertainment. For the Victorian colonies it became a city and along the way documented its growth. The building's original library and theatre still draw devotees and as Lisa Whitehead reports, a loyal band of volunteers. KEVIN QUIGLEY, ATHENAEUM PRESIDENT: There's nothing like us that has been here from day one, four years after the boat pushed ashore, here we are. It's a thread that runs through the life of Melbourne. LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the Athenaeum is a celebrity in disguise, the oldest cultural icon in the city, but barely noticed. MARJORIE DALVEAN, VOLUNTEER HISTORIAN: People of Melbourne walk past this area and they have no idea what it is. RAY LAWLER, PLAYWRIGHT: It seemed to me to be a place that absolutely, or breathes Melbourne, I suppose, culture. LISA WHITEHEAD: Just four years after Melbourne was founded, the colony built a Mechanic's Institution, one of the first in the world, a place where the working class could meet and learn. KEVIN QUIGLEY: People think of it as Wild West sort of place where these hearty types drank and rushed about, but Melbourne was freely settled. It was a city of people who wanted to better themselves - entrepreneurs. And the Mechanic's Institution was that innovative idea that had grown up in Edinburgh and London about providing an opportunity for education for the working people. LISA WHITEHEAD: Mark Twain lectured there. Later, other buildings were added and a theatre to host classic plays. And it adopted its more bourgeois friendly title of the Athenaeum. Crucially from the start there was the library, the first to offer affordable lending to the working man. And it still attracts devotees. Former University lecturer Margaret Bowman, 89, comes in every Wednesday, along with her dog to join an enthusiastic band of volunteers sorting through the archives. MARGARET BOWMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY LECTURER: Doing research is something that I find actually I enjoy more than anything. Every old lady needs to have a project and now I've got a project. MARJORIE DALVEAN: Margaret, Christine has just found out that Alfred Deakin was a member here from 1874 to 1877. This place is not flashy, we've never been flashy. But book lovers walk in here and they know this is the place for them. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: Old times and old names. The Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne for more than 40 years has been one of the city's best known cinemas. LISA WHITEHEAD: In the 20th century, the theatre surrendered to the new craze of talking pictures, and one particular fan was famous Australian playwright Ray Lawler. At 13, he dropped out of school to work in a Footscray factory and two years later his first trip to the glamorous Athenaeum cinema hinted at the education he was missing. RAY LAWLER: It just had a style about it which I responded to, I think. I was looking for something and this seemed to be part of it. Ray Lawler went on to write "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and found literary fame overseas. About a century after it had started as an educational place for the working man, Ray Lawler had, in effect, become an Athenaeum graduate. RAL LAWLER: If they had been looking for the sort of person that they were hoping to encourage along the way, I suppose I would have been somebody that might have fitted the mould, you know. LISA WHITEHEAD: In time, the cinema was returned to its theatrical roots. FRANK THRING, 1977: It has a great resemblance to the Theatre Royal in Hobart which Larry Olivier has called the best theatre he's ever worked in. And it's almost identical. It is the true Victorian playhouse. The horseshoe shaped thing: stalls, dress circle and gallery. And you're close to the audience and they're close to you. Marvellous feeling. LISA WHITEHEAD: Today, it's still a theatre. But time has brought compromises. The once vaunted art gallery has now covered its windows and become a comedy club and performance space. TV and suburban life have eaten away at the library membership. It offers an online service now, and a recent federal government grant will pay for the upkeep of its gracious interior, including the 1930s elevator Ray Lawler used to ride. For him, it's money well spent on history quietly made and discreetly observed. RAY LAWLER: It's the lack of awareness, I think, that people don't know what they've got here. They've really got the whole history of Melbourne almost. KEVIN QUIGLEY: It was a similar organisation in Sydney but we are the only one that's got a continual lineage on the same spot. We started here and we're still here and we'll be here for another 100 years. KERRY O'BRIEN: Lisa Whitehead on a great Melbourne landmark. © 2010 ABC | Privacy Policy Beginning as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution in 1839, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a long history that reflects the cultural and social development of Melbourne. It continues to be managed as a not-for-profit organisation by a volunteer board, with a subscription library (maintained since 1839) and a leased theatre.Video broadcast ABC 7:30 Report for 11/11/2009. "Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth."athenaeum, australian broadcasting corporation, kerry o’brien, kevin quigley, lisa whitehead, marjorie dalvean, ray lawler, margaret bowman, frank thring.

Obtained by Secretary of Melbourne Athenaeum in 1972 (Mr Leslie Stephens) to see the advertisement for library membership that was included in the program. Includes a loose page documenting advertising rates in the Theatre program. Melbourne Theatre Company programs often included advertising for the library. MTC later leased the Athenaeum Theatre.Paper program for a play performed at the Russell St Theatre 24 October until 18 November 1972; coloured cover; 20 p. includes articles about the play, the actors and advertisementsmelbourne theatre company, russell st theatre, program, a touch of the poet, eugene o'neill, the university of melbourne, australian elizabethan theatre trust, melbourne city council

Photographs of title documents related to the Sister’s Rocks. c 1867. In 1866 a photographer Mr. O.G. Armstrong feared the Sister's Rock's would be used for building material. Mr. Armstrong and Samuel John Davidson squatter of Great Western leased the ground around the Rock's under the 42nd section of then existing "Land Act" enclosing the rocks with a rough fence. Davidson's lease application was dated 30th Jan 1867. The area applied for was 10 acres and issued 2nd July 1867. The fee paid 2 pound 10 shillings annually till July 1871 when an application to purchase was lodged. Two years later the land was transferred to the Borough of Stawell. Photographs also show maps of the areas. Information also includes 3 typed pages copied from the documents photographs. Documents relating to the Sister Rock's c 1867.documents relating to sister's rock's

Flyer about Tally Ho Technology Park, initiated by Lend Lease, public property developer.Flyer about Tally Ho Technology Park, initiated by Lend Lease, public property developer.tally ho technology park, lend lease

Photocopy of Certificate of Title Vol 3739 Fol 747798, fifty-five acres fronting Mitcham Road, Vermont being part Crown Portion 121 at Mitcham, Parish of Nunawading, County of Bourke in the name of William George Kirkpatrick and Alfred Matthew Kirkpatrick, 1 November 1913. Transfer to Wunderlich Ltd 31 July 1928; Australian Industry Development Corporation 19 October 1983 and leased to Monier Ltd.kirkpatrick, william george, alfred matthew, wunderlich limited, monier limited, australian industry development corporation, mitcham road, vermont, land sales

Documents concerning Legacy having a legal hold over land owned by Sir Stanley Savige in Balnarring in order to erect permanent camp buildings. 00253.1 and .2 Report of Meeting of sub committee considering the questions of title re permanent camp building at Balnarring. Meeting held at Hotel Austalia 2nd October 1929. Legatees Armstrong, Carleton, Tregent, Hall and Massey in attendence. 00253.3 Signed letter from Charles H. Peters to Brian Armstrong, Messers Plante and Henty Solicitors. 00253.4, .5, .6, .7, .8 Report on Balnarring Camp Property. Same as collection item 00250 but with different corrections and additional notes. 00253.9 Cover letter to L Armstrong signed from Dudley Tregent. 00253.10 Letter to Blatchford, Deputy Chairman Junior Legacy Club from unknown author. 00253.11, .12 Minutes of Meeting of Board of Management. Camp Premises Agreement and negotiations mentioned on page 3. Melbourne Legacy provides camps for junior legatees. The camps gave the children an opportunity of a summer beach holiday with other Legacy children. It started with camps on the property of Legacy founder, Legatee Stan Savige, who had a place in Balnarring, close to the beach. Permanent camp buildings were built in 1930. These documents relate to those buildings. Legacy Somers Camps continued intermittently at Stan's property until it was decided in 1951 to make other arrangements for holidays. Including two other camps in the Somers area: Lord Somers Camp and the Somers School Camp (owned by the Education Department). Camps provided for junior Legatees have been very important from early in Legacy's history. In the 1920s Legacy started camps at Stan Savige's property at Balnarring. By the 1930s a permanent camp kitchen and building had been built at Somers Camp. These documents relate to the official status of the property.White paper with black type x 12 pages relating to land ownership and lease questions around the Balnarring Camp. Six sets of documents kept together. Total of twelve pages, some double sided.land transfer, deed of trust, option to purchase, properties, savige property, legacy somers camp

Photocopy of nine page agreement between the City of Ballaarat and the Ballarat Tramway Preservation Society dated 30/5/1974 for the operation of the Wendouree Parade tram line, lease of land, tram 14, contributions to tram depot, rentals, name of Ballarat Tourist Tramway, insurance. On rear sheet has names of BTPS solicitors (Russell Kennedy and Cook) and the City's Solicitors (Morrow & Morrow). Agreement for the BTPS by Maurice Calnin and Clyde Croft. On A4 size paper, toner copy, stapled in top left hand corner.trams, tramways, operating agreement, btps, city of ballaarat, agreements

Eight page printed document or report titled "A Further Lease of Life " written for BTM magazine Fares Please!, in September 2003. The document is a transcript of a memo prepared by the Ballarat Tramways Branch Superintendent dated 7 May 1948. Written by A. V. Mawby. The document examines the running condition of the Ballarat Tramway system, including the rolling stock, buildings, permanent way, overhead equipment, passenger numbers. The document was written to advise the Ballarat SEC Branch Manager what would be required for extended operation of the system. Eight sheets of A4 paper stapled in top left hand corner. Images added 29/11/2016.trams, tramways, ballarat, reports, permanent way, rolling stock

Manilla folder of documents relating to the Nell Gwynne Syncline Mining lease. Mentioned are Lease No.'s 10875 and 10903 which is in the Empire Road Stray Street area; R. Lethlean's Sluicing Claim; Albert Selisky has permissive Occupancy on ¼ acre; New Chum Syncline; Liddell's Chenical and Metallurgical Works; Arum Dredging Development NL. Application for a Hydraulic Sluicing Lease; Transfer of lease No. 10903, from H.J. Leed to North Nell Gwynne Gold Mines NL; Application form for the Nell Gwynne Syncline Co.. Application for leases 10945 and 10946; Nell Gwynne Syncline option to purchase lease 10945 for £1,000; Consent from Minna Matilda Lawson for inclusion of part of allotment 268 in lease No. 10875.Dickson & Tadgell Charted Accountants, 95 Queen Street, Melbourne C1gold, mining, land application, nell gwymme syncline, gold mines, bendigo

Mining site lease No. 11281. The lease of the site is for Machinery for the South Nell Gwynne Gold Mining Co., includes Map of the site. Dated 2nd September 1950.gold, mining, lease, bendigo, gold mines, mining lease, south nerll gwynne gold mining co.

Application for mining lease; Garden Gully and Moon Extended Gold mines, Lease No. 10073 and a receipt for same (3 documents in total). Dated 7th October 1933.McColl Rankin & Stanistreetgold, mining, lease application, garden gully and moon exlended gold mines, bendigo, gold mining

Eleven documents relating to an agreement between Thomas Watson Bassett, Valentine Bassett, Charlie Bassett and John Taylor and John Severn Barke for Mining Lease 10073 dated 29th August 1933. Also a letter from Luke Murphy & Co. solicitors revoking the lease on 22nd September 1933. Mentions Garden Gully and Moon Extended Gold mines.Luke Murphy & Co Barristers and Solicitorsgold, mining, lease application, gold mining, sebastion, garden gully, moon extended, thomas watson bassett, valentine bassett, charlie bassett, john severn barker, john taylor

Manilla folder of documents relating to the application by Herbert Jackson Leed for mining lease No. 10500, called the Thanet Lease. Containing a list of all of the owners of the allotments on the proposed lease and consent forms for them to sign. A map of the lease and of the subdivision of allotments 97 and 92. Various correspondence and application forms.gold, mining, land application, bendigo, gold mining. thanet lease, herbert jackson leed.

Dark orange catalogue for an auction sale held at The Argyle Gold N.L., South Heathcote on 19 November 1936. For sale was Mining Machinery, Plant, Buildings, Lease No. 10797 and Equipment. Sale was by Order of J. D. Morrison Esq., Legal Manager. Auctioneer was J. H. Curnow & Son. Contains description of some machinery, poppet legs and chimney stack.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - the argyle gold n.l., j d morrison esq, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros

Small catalogue for an auction sale at the Great Southern Gold Mine on the Garden Gully Line of Reef. Lease Nos. 11033 and 10690. Auction of Leases, Plant, Buildings and Equipment was held on 10th April 1947. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty Ltd. Were the auctioneers. Contains description of machinery and circular brick smoke stack.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - great southern gold mine, j h curnow & son pty ltd, prahran telegraph printing co, garden gully line of reef, fortuna hustlers mine, carshalton line, red white and blue consolidated, new chum railway, whip and jersey

Collection of documents related to mining : 15 application for a water right licence; 17 notice of application for a tailings licence; explanatory paper companies bill 1936; tribute agreement ( some sections filled in 1954, enclosed South Costerfield Antimony and Gold Mining Company share call notice signed J. Stanistreet Jnr ); 3 applications for a water right licence; 4 application for lease; 2 notice of application for a mining lease; 5 copies of notice of application for a mining lease ( copied); 8 copies of inclusion of private land in a mining lease; 2 copies of application for consent to the registration of a new company; 21 copies of requirements in connexion with an application for a mining lease, a water right licence, or a licence to treat tailings.bendigo, mining, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet

Letter from the Department of Mines to the Central Nell Gwynne Gold Mining Co. re. application for lease No. 10088 stating that unless the question of compensation with regard to the private land be settled without delay, the application cannot be allowed to proceed. Dated 13th June 1933. Also a receipt from the Mines Department for 2/6 for supplying a copy of the lease plan. (Not included)gold, mining, central nell gwynne, gold mines, central nell gwynne, bendigo

Manilla folder containing correspondence from Robert Irving, Inglewood about his pegging a 3000 acre block for prospecting and mining purposes. Also contains an application for a mining lease known as Morrow's Syndicate, this covers about 50 acres and is a ten year lease. The place of operation is at SalisburyRobert Irvinggold, mining, morrow's syndicate, gold mines, inglewood, robert irving, morrow's syndicate, salisbury

18 large forms (form 5) headed: Mines Act 1928, The Honorable the Minister of Mines has granted a Suspension of the Labour Covenants as under - . These were granted to various companies for a period of 1 to 3 months, some of the reasons being - to complete negotiations, to raise capital, to re-organise, and the lease is held on behalf of a London Company. Items date range from 1941 to 1942. Some of the places to which these apply are; Bendigo, South Wattle Gully Coy N.L. Castlemaine Vic 3450, Central Wattle Gully Coy N.L., North Hustlers G. M. Coy N.L., Elphinstone, Chewton, South Wattle GullyCoy N.L.,Sandhurst, Forbes Carshalton Gold Mining Coy N.L., Gold Dumps Pty Ltd, Huntly & Nerring.Government Printergold, mining, suspension of labour covenants, gold mining, suspension of labour covenants

Copy of as 4 page typewritten prospectus of the Datmouth (Jersey Reef) Gold Mining Company. The company is being formed for the purpose of acquiring from the vendor his interest in Gold Mining Lease No. 6449, having an area of 45 acres 2 roods 28 perches situated at Inglewood in the parishes of Glenalbyn and Inglewood, Mining District of Maryborough. The area embraces the Jersey Line of Reef and has a length along same of approximately 680 yards. Dated 1935.gold mining, miners' safety cage, gold mining, dartmouth, jersey reef, inglewood, glenalbyn

Manilla Folder containing correspondence and applications for a mining lease on the Garden Gully Line known as Mumford's Claim, also contains maps of lease numbers 9993, 10173, and 10390 (all on the Garden Gully Line).McColl Rankin & Stanistreet, Charing Cross Bendigogold mining, miners' safety cage, central garden gully, mining, gold mines, bendigo, garden gully, mumfords claim

Two copies of plan for Abe Lincoln Co. Lease, New Chum, Sandhurst. One original, one copy. On top of plan 'Plan Showing Position of the Abe Lincoln Co. Lease, New Chum, Sandhurst' under name 'by H.B. Nicholas, Mining Surveyor' Sheepshead Reef, Easter reef, Alfred Reef, Allingham Reef,Adventure Reef, Belle Vue Reef, New Chum Reef, Black Lead, Victoria Reef lines shown on map with mine leases marked. On bottom of map 'Monument Hill Reef' line marked.bendigo, mining, abe lincoln lease

Plan, hand drawn, showing Hobson and Lansell plan 'shewing ground in dispute' On plan East Johnson Lease Ground, Hobson and Lansell land in between, West of England company on bottom of plan.bendigo, mining, hobson and lansell

Two green covered auction catalogues with dark blue printing for an auction held on the 25th February 1937 of Mining Machinery, 5 Head Battery, Complete Cyanide Plant and Equipment, Buildings, Lease No. 7480, et. Sale held at the Gisborne Gold Mine No Liability, Bullet-proof Forest, Gisborne. Catalogues have descriptions of lots and sale prices written in the columns at the right side of the page. A Special Notice at the front of the catalogue mentions the plant will be first offered as a whole, with a view to recommencing operations. Yield is also mentioned.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - gisborne gold mine no liability, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros pty ltd