Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) , was a descendant of one of the earliest settler families in Kew. Employed at the Kew Asylum as a 'public servant', he was a skilled amateur photographer, photographing numerous scenes in Kew and on his travels around Victoria. The majority of his photographs date from 1916 to 1929. His finest photographs are housed in two photograph albums. Digital copy of a photograph from page 4 of the 47-page photograph album containing 261 gelatinous silver images, loaned by Diane Washfold with permission given to digitise and hold a copy in our collection. This photograph of hop farming coveys the various uses for which low lying fertile flood prone land beside the Yarra River was used."Yarra at Kew"henry beater christian (1886-1962), landscape photography, kew (vic.) — yarra river, christian-washfold collection, photograph albums, agriculture, hop farms

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Agricultural equipment, ca. 1910-ca. 1920. An elaborate piece of farm machinery powered by a small engine. The four-wheeled unit has a tank and a hose. The purpose of both is unclear. Like a number of glass negatives in the Collection, this plate has been reused. The original photograph shows houses in a streetscape. In the distance is an advertisement for starch, roughly painted on a fence.agriculture, glass negatives, farming equipment

This photograph was printed from a glass negative held in the Society's picture collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie, a professional photographer in Kew. Agricultural equipment, After 1920. A print from a glass negative that has been reused to document an item of equipment used on a farm. The equipment is vehicular and designed to be hauled behind another form of transport, either equine or mechanical. On the vehicle, there is a motor at the rear. The main part of the vehicle is a barrel that might have been used to hold liquid or solids. The original photograph would appear to be a scene adjacent to a beach. The photo was printed from a glass negative in the collection. The original glass negative is part of a set donated to the Society by Ian McKenzie.agriculture, farming machinery, glass negatives

Pitchfork with hickory (?) handle and carbon steel prongs, ferrule made of mild steel sheet. Bound section of handle near end for ease of use.H. K Bros' embossed on handlerural industry, agriculture, pitchfork, farming equipment

Two large steel horseshoes with seven square nail holes in each.No visible markings.rural industry, agriculture, steel, horseshoe, horse, jessie, farming.

photoww1, world war 1, farming, natives

This item is part of a collection of seven black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in a glass plate box. The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging showing a fence line with trees. Two men are standing near the fence.agriculture, new south wales graziers association, travel, sheep, breeding, photography, glass lantern slides, j w allen

Farming at Ferris Road in 1960sagriculture

1950 decade HAY FORK - A local invention. Bill and Arthur Gillespie and Bon Barrie In the early 1950’s Bill Gillespie of Bulmans Lane had been experimenting in developing a machine to improve the collection of hay sheaves at harvesting and stack building time. The ripened crop was cut by a reaper and binder which bundled the storks into sheaves tied with binder twine. The reaper and binder was towed by a tractor by the mid 1940s previously teams of draught horses were used to pull the reaper and binder. A photograph taken at the Barrie farm shows three binders the first being towed with a tractor and the others with horse teams. Two workmen were needed to operate the binder when cutting a crop. The sheaves collected on the binder and released onto the ground and were scattered across the paddocks. Using a conventional two pronged pitch fork the harvest hands collected the sheaves and placed each one cut edge on the ground in an upright position and layered with about 15 sheaves into an apex shape to form was is known as a stook. The shape of the stook allowed for drying and draining of water if rain had occurred. Prior to the invention of the mechanical hayfork this was a laborious task requiring each sheaf to be pitched onto a tray truck and moved to the location of the haystack. The mechanised HAYFORK was operated by one person on tractor greatly reducing the need for gangs of labourers. At harvest time farmers had relied on itinerant teams of workers descending on the district looking for work. The three Barrie brothers on their adjoining farms combined forces to cut their crop at its optimum time while the weather was in their favour. Up to many 20 workers at times formed a team in earlier times. Agricultural university students were also keen to gain practical experience in the field. Each of the brothers had a particular skill, and Tom Barrie was the expert on stack building. The district haystacks had a distinctive shape and could be recognised by their builder. Bill Gillespie’s first operational HAY FORK consisted of a large 13 pronged fork situated forward of the truck cabin. It was attached with iron girders and mounted on the rear of the cabin to the tray of his British Bedford truck. It was constructed in metal and iron and welded in the farmers work sheds. The mechanism was raised and lowered by the driver scooping along the ground to pick up a complete stook to raise high enough to deposit all the sheaves in one stook onto the stack or truck tray. The fork section was released by a rope and operated by the driver in the cabin. This model was trialled on the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane. It proved to be very successful and the Barrie/ Gillespie brothers went on to develop a HAYFORK which attached to a tractor and was operated with a series of levers and was raised and lowered hydraulically. It was detached from the tractor when stacking was completed. In its early days farmers travelling along the Western Highway called at the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane to inspect its construction and operation of the invention. It became a widely adopted by farmers throughout the State. It was being used on Wattie Palmer’s farm on Bridge Road Melton South in 1997. Farming in Melton, hay growing and stack building. agriculture, local identities

Jim was the youngest child of Charles Ernest Ernie Barrie “Darlingsford” of the farming family property Melton 1911. He was the brother of Ernest Wesley Bon, Charles Edgar, Thomas Lindsay. The family connection with this original property remained until the last part of the E W Barrie section was sold in 1982. Jim’s parents were Charles (Ernie) and Jessie Barrie of Darlingsford Melton. Tom farmed the family property with his father and brothers, and later the Ferris Road property which continued with his son Ian. His childhood interest in horses began with the draft horses kept at the bluestone stable and barn at Darlingsford. When the stables were empty in the late 1980s visit, he vividly recalled the names of the horses he had handled in his youth. When the draft horse became obsolete with the introduction of tractors and trucks this interest continued with the breeding and training of harness racersTom Barrie's harvest and Jim Barrie at Shelfordlocal identities, agriculture

Closed wire gate at the entrance to the 150 acres ploughed paddock. Tractor GBL 963 with front loader, HAB with Roller, JCJ 100, JCJ 101, Res Track, Red tray truck with straw bales, Black International with bine on tray.Photo taken in yard on south side of house facing Ferris Rd gate with stubble paddock on the right sideagriculture

Peter Ernest born Nov 7th 1945. Peter and his brother Robert continued operating the farm on Ferris Road. Peter remembers the horses being used. Robert and Peter worked with their father uncles and cousins until the decline of farming and the impending division of the properties and the encroaching urban development made farming no longer viable. The remaining connection of the Barrie family with property known as Darlingsford finally ceased in 1982. Peter continues to combine a small farm with his earth moving business, known as Melton Plant Hire (MPH) . Peter’s wife Jennie and daughters Deborah and Coralie administer the MPH (Melton Plant Hire) Office, and assist with operation the machinery. Photographs of Peter Barrie from different eraslocal identities, agriculture

Used in the 19th or early 20th centuryA long handled steel vintage post hole digger with two large curved split blades. Each blade is attached to the top of the handle by three screws. It has a rotating action with the digger boring into the earth as the handle is turned. There is an attachment at the end of the steel handle for a missing turning handle.'S' is stamped on the top of the handle.tools, agricultural tools, farming equipment, garden tools

Manufactured by F.E. Kohler & Co, Canton, OhioA vintage post hole digger with two long wooden handles and two metal scooped blades. It is operated with a lever action, with the two handles pulled apart to take a 'bite' of earth. The handles are attached by a nut and bolt. There is a crowbar on the end of one handle and a rammer on the end of the other. The brand is F.E. Kohler & Co, Canton, Ohio.'Kohler Little Giant' patented.tools, agricultural tools, farming equipment, garden tools

Charles E “Ernie” Barrie started constructing a Chaff mill on the corner of Brooklyn and Station road in 1900. It soon became a thriving business and was ideally located close to the railway line. Ernie and his father William and other Barrie brothers had been operated travelling chaff cutters in the district of Melton and Werribee. Within a short time the mill expanded into two big sheds in partnership with his brother James E known as “Ted”. The eldest brother William was in the Manager living in Melton South. In 1906 Ernie applied for a railway crossing on Brooklyn Road to have direct access for railway trucks to be shunted to the mill to be loaded. The Mill was also had the first phone to be connected, No 1, and No’s 2, 3 were the Golden Fleece and Macs Hotels. In 1906 Ernie married Jessie Lang daughter of the Head Teacher at Melton State School No 430 (1896 –1917). The Barrie house on the north side of the mill was completed in August 1906. It survived for almost 60 years until demolition. Chaff mills were very susceptible to fires and often burnt down and would be rebuilt again ready for the peak of the harvesting season. The final demise of the Mill occurred in a spectacular blaze on the night of Friday 2nd December 1977, just before the earth tremor as reported in the local paper. Brian Dobson the local photographer lived close by and captured the night blaze. A video was also taken of the action by the fire brigade. My parents Bon and Edna Barrie were living at 19 First Avenue, and took colour slides of the smouldering ruins in the half -light. Ironically Bon had spent the first year of his life (born in April 1909 and sister Mary born October 1907) at the house beside the mill. Trethowan’s Chaff mill in Brooklyn road was also destroyed by fire, which stated in the evening on Tuesday April 28th 1987. It was established in 1910 by Dixon Brothers, followed by, Ebbot & Kebby, Robinson, Trethowan and Butler and was with the Trethowan family when it burnt down. Melton South was small a community referred to as Melton Railway Station. Member of the community raised the idea to have a public hall. In 1909 Cr Barrie, Mr Nesbitt and Delany formed a committee to build a community hall. Cr Barrie donated the land and The Exford Hall was completed in September 1910 later to be named Victoria Hall. It was demolished in 1992. Colour slide in Barrie archive. In April 1910 the Ernie sold the Mill to Glover Onians (HSK Ward) family moved away to a property in Trundle NSW. Ernie had acquired 640 acres (a square mile) and leased a further 1920 acres of adjoining land. It was the practise of the farmers in the area at the time to buy up or lease the surrounding land from the 640 acre crown land blocks to make up acerage for a viable wheat farm. His wife Jessie found the climate to be very hot and when the Darlingsford property at Melton was put up for sale in the latter part of 1910 and was passed in at the auction. My grandfather saw this an opportunity to return to Melton. The negotiations to Darlingsford were finalised on May 11th 1911. Barrie bothers with connections to Chaff mills and farming in Melton from the 1900s William Henry, Charles Ernest, James Edwin, Samuel John, Robert, Arthur Roger, Albert Walter. Three grandsons and a great-grandson are in business earthmoving and farming in Melton today. (2013) Memoirs by Wendy BarrieEmployees at Chaff Mill, it was located on the corner of Brooklyn and Station Road, Melton South. local identities, agriculture

North east Victoria was a major dairy producing region in the late nineteenth century. The first iteration of the Wodonga Butter Factory Ltd was established in 1892. Dairy was sent from farmers across the district for processing at the factory in Wodonga in the 1890s. Victorian creameries regularly exported frozen butter to London, stock was transported by rail for sale in Melbourne, and of course sold and consumed locally. E.W. Mann, of the prominent local Wodonga family, was a shareholder and was closely involved in the establishment of the Wodonga Butter Company. Many families living on farms also owned their own cow, and had equipment to process their own dairy products at home. This item has strong links to the history of Wodonga and north east Victoria. It has interpretative potential in the areas of local agricultural history, and the social history of food and farming.A wooden butter churn with metal turning handle, and two butter paddles and removal lid.butter, butter churn, dairy, cream, milk, cow, agriculture, farms, farmers, farm, food, social history, food history

Also second identical copyColour photograph of a rural view near Buchan, shows five horses in and around a dam, farming building in distance glimpsed through trees. Bruthen Victoria topography, agriculture

Also second identical copyColour photograph of Buchan Station, shows farming buildings situated among trees, both cultivated and uncultivated paddocks around property, forested hills in background. Buchan Victoriaagriculture, animals, topography

Champion Dairy Shorthorn Bull at the 1954 Royal Melbourne Show, Iford Cambridge Duke 7th, exhibited by Russell N. Stokes, Charlbury, WesburnThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.[paper taped to reverse, typed] Champion Dairy Shorthorn Bull. Iford Cambridge Duke 7th. Russell N Stokes Charlbury Wesburnroyal melbourne show, cattle, dairy cattle, stokes, russell stokes, agricultural shows, blue ribbon competitions, winners

Black and white photograph of a Champion Devon BullThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.Champion Devon Bull. Tabletop Hero. Tabletop station Tabletop NSWroyal melbourne show

Black and white photograph of a black and white cow with horns. Champion sash from 1953This item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderroyal melbourne show, cattle, cow, winners, blue ribbon competition, agricultural shows

Black and white photograph of a Champion Hereford cowThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.Champion Jr and Res, Sr, Hereford cow. Coliban Best Girl 31st. RL McRachern Strathdownieroyal melbourne show, cattle, hereford, cow, winners, agricultural shows, blue ribbon competition, mcrachern, rl mcrachern

Black and white photograph of a man standing with a long horned cow. The cow has a ribbon from the Royal Melbourne Coronation Show across its head, but it is unclear what colour (and therefore placing) it has received.This item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderroyal melbourne show, cattle, cow, agricultural shows, blue ribbon competitions

Champion Poll Hereford Cow. The Brass Maple 17th. JA Hanson "The Braes" MacarthurThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderChampion Poll Hereford Cow. The Brass Maple 17th. JA Hanson "The Braes" Macarthurroyal melbourne show, cattle, hereford, cow, winner, blue ribbon competition, agricultural shows, mcarthur, hanson, ja hanson

Black and white photograph of a Champion cow, possibly a shorthorn, 1953This item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderroyal melbourne show, cattle, cow, blue ribbon competitions, agricultural shows, winners

Black and white photograph of a Champion shorthorn cow 1953This item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderroyal melbourne show, shorthorn, cattle, cow, agricultural shows, winners, blue ribbon competitions

Black and white photograph of a Champion Friesian Bull Champion Friesian Bull. Glenhope Keystone Burkeyje. FJ Fox "Kingstone Park" Merricks NorthThis item is a part of a larger collection of 4,500 Frank Johnson photographs and negatives donated to Melbourne Royal by Frank Johnson’s daughter, Francis Beatty Wallace in 2016. This collection spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s holds important social and historical significance in preserving and sharing Victoria’s agricultural history and community. The photographs capture the local, regional, and state’s shared relationships developed through agriculture and the importance of farming and husbandry to the population and development of Australia. A large proportion of these photographs depict events from the Royal Melbourne Show, including livestock competitions, exhibitions and awards ceremonies. Dating back to 1848 when the society first began, the Royal Melbourne Show has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Victorians, allowing for extensive showcasing and celebration of agricultural excellence, bridging the divide between metropolitan and rural Victoria.A black and white photograph, landscape, printed on gloss paper with a white borderChampion Friesian Bull. Glenhope Keystone Burkeyje. FJ Fox "Kingstone Park" Merricks Northroyal melbourne show, friesian, bull, agricultural shows, blue ribbon competitions, winners, glenhope, kingstone, fj fox, fox