"Heatherlie " homes have been extended and are still operated under the auspices of the Uniting Church Australia. Invitation retained by Absalom family members for 44 years. "Heatherlie" name originated from owners of wooden house built by EB Phillips, furniture store owner. Name taken from mrs Annie Phillips (nee Bone) family home in Stawell.Original document, invitation to dedication of "Heatherlie" by Mrs Ethel Mitchell, Moderator of Uniting Church in Victoria and the official opening By the R Hon Malcolm Fraser, PM of Australia and Member of Wannon. Significant as "Heatherlie" was a community and government funded building programRectangular white card with rounded corners. Black print with black and red logo, Uniting Church. Typewritten name, Mr. & Mrs. I. Absalom. Varied size print, copperplate, capital letters and typewritten name inserted.Logo of Uniting Churchmr archie graham, mr & mrs i absalom, uniting church, warrnambool, mrs ethel mitchell-moderator, malcolm fraser pm, of australia, koroit street, heatherlie council

Guyett & Sons Pty Ltd are a local family and business, in 2013 still operating as funeral directorsGuyett & Sons Pty Ltd complete Home Furnishers in Warrnambool Phone 438 and Port Fairy Phone 9Guyett & Sons Pty Ltd. Rectangular, mid brown card. Black printing of calendar and text with coloured scene. Two storey thatched cottage, cottage garden and distant village. 3 months 1949 and 3 months 1951calendar. token of appreciation for your patronage. furnishers, warrnambool. koroit. port fairy., guyett & sons

This passport belonged to Alexander Swinton, a member of a prominent family in Warrnambool. The passport shows that he travelled extensively in Europe, U.S.A. and Central and South America. Alex Swinton’s forebears, William and Ann Swinton came to Warrnambool in 1854 and William Swinton opened a shop selling hardware, china and glassware in Timor Street Warrnambool in 1865. The Swinton businesses expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries and a Swinton furnishing store still exists today, making this store one of the oldest family businesses in Australia. Alexander Swinton (1907-1986) was the son of George and Florence Swinton of Merri Crescent Warrnambool. He attended Warrnambool Technical School in the early 1920s.This box is of interest as a memento of Alexander Swinton, a member of a prominent Warrnambool family. It also shows the type of passport issued to Australian citizens in the 1950s and 60s. These are two passport booklets joined together with white tape. Each has 32 pages and the booklet contains two black and white photographs, personal information (both printed and written), stamps and printed information from various countries and two inserted certificates. The front cover is black with printing and the image of the Australian Government crest.British Passport Commonwealth of Australiaalexander swinton, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, swinton, passport

This box comes from the Swinton collection and belonged to Alex Swinton. The Swinton family are a pioneering family in Warrnambool with William and Ann Swinton arriving in the town in 1854. Swinton businesses (stores selling furnishings, produce, hardware, clothing, glassware etc.) have been important in Timor Street, Warrnambool since 1865 and are among the oldest family businesses in Australia. Alexander Swinton (1907-1986) was the son of George and Florence Swinton of Merri Crescent Warrnambool. He attended Warrnambool Technical School in the early 1920s. This box is of minor interest as a memento of Alexander Swinton, a prominent member of a prominent Warrnambool family.This is a rectangular-shaped wooden box. It has a rough surface base suggesting that it once was covered in some type of cloth. The top and the sides have a brown varnished surface with a marbled finish. The remains of a metal plaque are in the centre of the top. The inside of the box suggests that it was originally padded to fit a particular object. The lid has two metal hinges and the two catches on the side are metal. Some lettering inside is encased in the outline of a shield and a triangle. Union Case …. Trade Mark H.Coward (or Goward) alexander swinton, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, swinton

The Warrnambool Cemetery was gazetted 1853 and remains functional with eight Trustees.Historic, as original document as revised 1902 Rules and Regulations, Part of the Goodall family collection accompanied by original documents related to buying grave site, payment, undertakers account and monumental mason.A rectangular booklet, very pale, faded yellow paper cover with black ink print. Black thick ribbon border.Rules and Regulations / and / Scale of Fees / of the / Warrnambool General Cemetery. / Gazetted 19th November, 1902. / Warrnambool / Thompson & O'Farrell, Printers, Koroit St./1902.warrnambool, warrnambool cemetery, william ardlie, s nettleton, jh allan, rules and regulations, goodall

Private Bertie Ernest Alfred Henderson served in the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 5th Division of the AIF. He died of wounds In France on 29/5/1918 or 1/6/1918. His burial place is Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme. The framed 'In Memoriam' has been in the custody of family members until presented to W&DHS in 2013 by Mrs Beris Porter. Pte BEA Henderson, 1866, 3 Pioneer Battalion(2 Reinforcement Group) was a farmer and single. His father was Mr HH Henderson of Naringal. He enlisted on 27/5/1916 then sailed on the Themistocles on 28/7/1916 and transferred to the 5 Pioneer Battalion. His name is recorded on the War Memorial, Artillery Crescent, Warrnambool as having made the supreme sacrifice.Mass produced Memorial page with a sepia original half portrait photograph of a soldier surrounded with two mounts,narrow white and dark/grey brown, and a thin gold gilt surround next to an inward angled plain, wooden frame with clear glass. Hand white painted name, rank, number, battalion, division with decorative flourishes. A. tarnished plaque is on the mid lower frame Front- White hand painted dedication: 1866/PRIVATE B.E.A. HENDERSON/5th Pioneer Batt 5Division/A.I.F. The mass produced decorative mount has battle place names and a bird's eye view of battlefields in France. In sepia 'Glory' stand atop a rock and cross with a laurel wreath in her right hand and a scroll with ANZACS falling from her left hand. A verse is written Anzacs, you've graved your name upon Immortal Scroll/Naught can compare with what the World a claims/Zenith of a fighting patriotic soul./A host of heroes, you have but echoed back with Clarion tongue/the Spartan Sires from who you fitly sprung Coo-ee! Comrades, 'Kia-Ora' you didn't ant couch will ever be./Sacred to all Eternity. An oval cut-out holds a half portrait of the soldier in uniform. Plaque on lower wooden frame FRANCE/29.5.18 Reverse- in pencil handwriting: ? o/c/... ... A. Henderson/of ...T/Yar..galin memoriam, wwi, 5th pioneer battalion, 5th division, aif, private bea henderson, warrnambool, anzac

Hardback, landscape book with watercolour painting of Sea baths at Sorrento looking east by AC Clarke on the front. Also the title in red and author Bruce Bennett in aqua. The spine has the title and author as above. On the back cover are six reproductions of sea baths and synopsis of the book. 152 pages of white, gloss paper, acknowledgements, contents, preface, 5pages of References and a 2 page Index. The end papers are of white paper. non-fictionHistory of sea baths in Victoria.sea water baths, victoria, bruce bennett, warrnambool, windmill, 1890, swimming, closed 1960s, bathing boxes, poster, warrnambool baths company, 1877

This is a most comprehensive and succinct history of the Palmer/Wood family and their descendants from 1838 to 2013. Several members of the Palmer family were prominent in the history of Warrnambool and district. These include Octavius Palmer of Waarn, Claude Palmer of Dalvui, William Palmer, Manager of the Bank of Australasia in the 1860s and Thomas Palmer of Grasmere. The noted novelist, Mary Gaunt, who lived in Warrnambool for some time, was the granddaughter of Frederick and Mary Palmer. These biographical notes of the Palmer family are of some significance as they will be very useful for researchers.These are 13 pages of printed notes enclosed in a folder with a clear plastic front cover and a black plastic back cover. The pages are attached using plastic clips. The pages include illustrations and photographs. Palmer – The Family of Frederick William Palmer and Mary Eliza Wood of Woodlands, Tasmania 1838-2013 Front Cover: ‘Palmer – The Family of Frederick William Palmer and Mary Eliza Wood of Woodlands, Tasmania. Researched by Florence Charles, 1838-2013palmer, frederick william palmer and mary eliza wood of woodlands

Sloan's liniment was used in the late19th and early to mid 20th century. Originally used for horses but later advertised as good for Man and Beast.While the bottle of Sloan's liniment has historical value, the link with Warrnambool lies in the chemist's label of J Paterson who operated a business at 186 Timor Street, Warrnambool around the 1930s.Brown glass bottle with black metal screw-top lid. Bottle has a short neck. The indented rear has the maker's name imprinted. The black and white printed paper label has a picture of a man's head and wraps across the front and sides and has a red sticker with the Warrnambool retailer's name..Front: SLOAN'S/FAMILY/LINIMENT/(text obscured)/NEW YORK (obscured) ST LOUIS/NETT CONTENTS 2½ FL. OZS Left side: INSTRUCTIONS-Massage (obscured) gently with/fingers. Then (obscured) liberally with a soft/ flannel cloth or a piece of absorbent cotton. If skin is tender,/do not use./ CAUTION:-COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE./Do not Use near Fire or Flame./Regd Vic 1173 Right side: EXTERNALLY: Recommended by us in the treatment of Muscu-/lar Congestion and Muscular Pain due to the exposure and fatigue or/of rheumatic origin, Lumbago, S--- and sc--- and s--- of/Muscles and Tendons, Neuralgia, (obscured), Stiff Neck, Backache, Bruises, Chilblains, Mosquito Bites and/stings of major non-poisonous insects. An Excellent Counter (obscured) Back: THIS BOTTLE ALWAYS REMAINS/ THE PROPERTY OF/CHAMBERLAIN'S PTY LTD/SYDNEY warrnambool, chemists, timor st, sloan's liniment, paterson j

Warrnambool South Primary School was opened in 1877. The first teacher was Mrs Eliza Clarke. Many of the trades of the early parents were occupations such as tanners, saddlers, wharf labourers and fishermen. The school celebrated its centenary in 1977 and was decommissioned around the 1990’s. There are four McDonald children identified towards the RHS of the picture. The South Warrnambool school was part of a close knit community. This photo shows a very good cross section of many of the South Warrnambool families at that time. Little Alma Mc Donald 3rd from right in front row was born in 1910. Black and white photograph showing approximately 80 children and three teachers, standing in rows outside stone building. Cinnamon coloured mount. State School No 1902.warrnambool, south warrnambool primary school, mcdonald, ferrier, tinker, pickett, holmes, eliza clarke, dridan

The Warrnambool and District Historical Society was housed since the early 1970s in the old caretaker’s cottage in Gilles Street (called today History House). While History House was being renovated the Historical Society, in association with the Warrnambool Family History Group, was housed in the Mechanics Institute building at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. In 2013 new buildings were placed at the rear of Mozart Hall next to History House and called Heritage Works. The two groups moved from Flagstaff Hill late in 2013 and the new facility was officially opened in March 2014 by the Premier of Victoria, Dr Denis Napthine. The Mozart Choral Group was also involved in the opening as this group shares some of our facilities.This invitation is of some historical importance as a record of the opening of HeritageWorks - a significant milestone in the history of both the Warrnambool and District Historical Society and the Warrnambool Family History GroupThis is an A4 sheet of thickened card. It has a cream-coloured background with the logo of Heritage Works in red and green print and the other printed material is in black print. There is an image in grey tonings of the old Sea Water Baths in Gilles Street at the bottom of the sheetwarrnambool and district historical society, heritage works

This album contains photos done on photographic paper while others are on exposed metal. Some are named, among them a Thomas or Edward Wickham, Fred Giles, Mrs. F Giles, Mary Humphrey Wickham, Jack Giles, Eliza Hornsby. Some of the photographs have been taken by Warrnambool photographers including Daniel Clarke. This album shows two different methods of photography which existed in the mid to late 19th century. With a number of the photos named it would suggest that there is some family connection between them which provokes an interest from a genealogical point of view. Red leather cover with circular pattern with black edging which sits around rectangle on front and back. Brass metal clasp. Pages are edged in gold. First pages has photo of woman leaning on back of couch and last page has cut out coloured picture of three children with garlands of flowers.Stamp inside front cover, Hider, Charles Liebig St, Warrnambool.warrnambool, photo album warrnambool, giles family album, 19th century album, giles, wickham, hornsby, daniel clarke

This album contains a number of photographs of British royal family, ministers of religion persons of renown such as Florence Nightingale and family members. Most are named.This album contains a typical collection of photographs which people of the later part of the 19th century put together of people of importance, especially the royal family and leaders of state. Religion also played a major part in the lives of people at that time hence the inclusion of the ministers. Small green leather bound cover with geometric pattern. Two metal clasps. Edges of pages edged in gold. First page is photograph of page from the Book of Proverbs snd last photo is of prince Alfred with ships in the background.warrnambool, photograph album of warrnambool

The Ozone Coffee Palace was built in 1890-1891. It was designed by Mr J McLeod. It was grand in design and decoration. The term Coffee Palace was used to describe temperance hotels which were built during the 1880’s -1890’s. They typically were multi-purpose and had a large number of rooms for ballrooms and leisure activities. Coffee palaces were aimed at families in coastal areas and inner city locations. Examples of some are The Windsor Hotel Melbourne, Ozone, Queenscliff and Kilbreda Convent in Mentone. The bottom part of the advertisement is a testimonial written by Brassey and Sybil De V Brassey, Lord Brassey being Governor of Victoria around 1895. Their visit to Warrnambool and their stay at the Ozone sparked a much needed interest in the Ozone. In 1896 the price to stay at the Ozone was two pounds two shillings and it remain in business for several years but in 1910 it closed after losing money for many years. It remained closed until it was bought by Mr Howard Lawson in 1920. It continued to struggle financially. It was burnt down in February 1929. When the Ozone was built in1891 it was the largest building in Warrnambool. It occupied a prominent position on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets. The grand architectural style in which it was built, was used for a number of similar buildings throughout the state. The fire which destroyed the building was one of the largest in the town.Large photograph glued to the top of the card with text in various styles underneath. Photo is sepia and card is cream. The bottom part of the piece has broken away. Jordan in bottom LH corner of photograph. “L.N. Moore 2 Landcox St Nth Brighton” written in pencil on back. warrnambool, ozone coffee palace warrnambool, mansions hotel, hotel warrnambool, ozone fire 1929

“Alone in West Africa” is one of a number of works written by Mary Gaunt. Her other works include, A Woman in China, The End of the Earth, Kirkhams Find, The Moving Finger and Deadman’s. Mary was born at Indigo near Chiltern in 1862 and lived for many years in Ballarat where her father W.H. Gaunt was gold commissioner and later a judge. The original Gaunt family home was converted into St Patrick’s College. She married Dr Lindsay Miller and moved to Warrnambool and after his death in 1899 she embarked on her travels which took her to many parts of the world. She died in Cannes, France in January 1942. Mary Gaunt wrote over 25 novels, numerous travel books and many stories and articles. She had a strong link with Warrnambool and details of the district are included among her writings. She also wrote regularly in the early 1900’s for the Times in London on women issues. She was an independent thinker and worker. Apart from the text of “Alone in West Africa,” the work contains 97 black and white photographs which Mary had taken and developed herself. These photos are a significant view of aspects of life in Africa at that timeDark blue cover with gold text. Title, “Alone in West Africa” with sketch of two children in the centre, with Mary Gaunt underneath. The back cover has an embossed letter “L”. Inside the front cover is a rough sketch of the author’s route of the French Ivory Coast. It contains a number of black and white plates and index. 399 pages.T Werner Laurie on bottom of spine. Black and white photograph of author with autograph underneath. T Werner Laurie Clifford’s Inn London. Acknowledgements included in the dedication , Sir Charles Lucas, Sir George Denton, Elder Dempster and Co. Messrs. Swanzy and Co.,gaunt, mary gaunt, alone in west africa, french ivory coast 1912

Loris McKeeman McLeod, married to Alex McLeod, was a local farmer at ‘Glendale’, Grasmere and later lived in Warrnambool. She was interested in local and family history and published material in the 1980s on the Oakley, McKeeman and McLeod families. She also wrote poetry and this is an example of her work.This poem is worth keeping as an example of the personal writing of a local person, Loris McKeeman McLeod. This is white card with a poem’ My Australian Pioneer’ printed on it in black type. There is a decorative border around the printed material. The poet was Loris McLeod.loris mcleod, warrnambool, glendale

Green tinted paperback with photograph of farming men with children and horses on front cover. Title and other text is dark brown edged in white. A number of Irish surnames are written in darker green on the paler part of front cover. This effect is also on back cover in tan lettering. The back cover description is written in brown text with image in oval above text.non-fictionHistory of St Brigid's Catholic Church and the Irish-Australian community warrnambool, crossley, st brigid's church, crossley catholic church, helen doyle

King Cole’s fruit shop operated in Liebig Street from around the 1940’s. It was operated by Alan Cole and his family for many years. Many of the advertisements of the mid20th century are advertising case lots of locally sourced product such as Portland and Harcourt. The business name King Cole continues to have a link with Warrnambool as a wholesale business which operates from the industrial Estate in Cooper St West Warrnambool.This item provides an historical and social link with the people of Warrnambool and district.White paper bag with red printing.King Cole Fruit supply 93 Liebig St Warrnambool, Phone 622699.warrnambool, king cole, alan cole, fruiterer, liebig st

The recipient of this card, Jessie Bonnett was born in Allansford in 1897. She spent her life on the family farm at Mepunga with her brothers Jack and George. She died in 1990 and her scrapbook came into the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society through her relative, Mary O’Callaghan. Nothing is known of Ada Lawlor.This card has social significance and interest showing the communication between people in an earlier age. Postcards were commonly used to convey a short message between friends. This is a postcard with an image of the ship ‘Georgia’ on the front and a letter from Nullawarre on the back. There is a stamp from the Gray’s Colosseum Stationers and a symbol, ‘F & J’ on the back. Nullawarre, 13.10.10 Miss Jessie Bonnett, Mepunga, Dear Jessie, Just a P.C. in answer to your pretty card and for being so kind in always helping me with my sums. Please excuse this P.C. as I have no other. I remain, your affect. playmate, Ada Lawlor. Dear Jess I was not at school yesterday as I was sick with a cold.jessie bonnett, ada lawlor, the georgia

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century. A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses.Two clear glass bottles with rib pattern and circles at bottom of neck. Transfer label with small white circles and one larger red one. Top is white with orange writing. Contains Dry Ginger.Enjoy Reeves’ ice cold on the front, Bottled by R.J Reeves Warrnambool. Preservative added artificially coloured. Net contents 7 FL. OZ. warrnambool, reeves, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

Ralph Reeves purchased an established cordial factory in the early 1900’s from the estate of J Fletcher. It was operated by the Reeves family, firstly Reginald, followed by his son-in-law Murray Moon until the latter part of the 20th century.A common object familiar to a large number of people in the Warrnambool area with links to one of Warrnambool’s longest established family businesses. Two clear glass. Cylindrical with 12 ribs. Chrome metal top with lever and spout. Logo etched on front of bottles Inscriptions and Markings: “R. J. Reeves” engraved on side of lid. “R. J. Reeves Warrnambool in oval surrounding RJR. This syphon remains the property of R. J. Reeves Warrnambool and its use by others is prohibited.British syphon company Limited London.warrnambool, reeves, soda syphon, reeves soft drink, reeves cordial.

This album contains a number of photos taken around the Otways. They depict a number of people with horses, buggies and tents along bush tracks. There are scenes of Lochard Gorge and the Curdies River at Peterborough, as well as farming scenes. The Otway Ranges was a popular place for day trips and small holidays for the people of the district. Warrnambool and District Historical Society has albums from the Swinton family which depict similar scenes. Dress of the people in the photos would indicate that this trip occurred around the turn of the 20th century. This album has artistic and aesthetic significance as the photos contained within this album are quite beautiful. It also has historical and social significance as it is depicts a typical activity of the time. Brown cover with black floral pattern on front. Back cover is plain. Rectangular in shape. Contains photographs mounted on heavy card.warrnambool, album, photo album, otway ranges, the otways, loch ard gorge,, warrnambool photographs of the past, warrnambool photos

Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England and spent over a decade in India with his regiment. In 1867 he gained first prize for his views of Indian scenery. He followed the same profession when he came to Victoria in 1884 and set up a professional photographic studio in Warrnambool He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs as well as official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. This album is one which was advertised in 1901. Of the two albums in the collection they seem to consist of a core number of the same photographs with others included in the selection. The business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. This album includes a number of professionally taken photographs which give a high quality view of Warrnambool and the popular spots around the district at the turn of the century.Faded Maroon cloth over card cover with title in gold lettering on front cover. Advertisements for local businesses inside front and back covers. The album contains a number of black and white photographs from around Warrnambool, including the Titan crane at the Breakwater, banks of the Hopkins, Stephens Coachbuilders, Grand Annual Show, panorama of Warrnambool and Suspension Bridge on the Merri. All are mounted on card. It includes advertisements of J J O Mullane, Bay View Hotel, Hopkins Hotel, T Redford, Royal Hotel, Robinson and Morse, H D Stewart & Co, F Uren.2142 in grey lead inside front cover.warrnambool, joseph jordan, views of warrnambool, photograph album of warrnambool, views of warrnambool 1891

The origin and owner of this album are unknown but the name’ Vickers’ suggests some local connection. There are twelve photographs of people and twenty-nine photographs of buildings and scenes, mostly of places in England (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire). The photographers’ names listed are from Nottingham. The photographs probably date from the 1860s and 1870s. This is most likely an album of some significance as the name ‘Vickers’ on the inside cover of this album suggests that the photographs belonged to the Vickers family. Robert Vickers, who came from Nottingham, was a farmer at Summerside in Panmure in the 1860s, 70s and 80s so the photographs in the album are likely to be of his family members. This is a small photograph album with a brown leather cover There is a raised gold-coloured metal belt motif on the front cover and one piece of gold-coloured metal on the lower side of the front cover,Inside the front cover, in blue biro, the handwritten name ‘Vickers’ The word ‘Album’ is printed on the spine. warrnambool, vickers, robert vickers

This album is believed to have belonged to Jessie Bonnett ( 1897-1990) the daughter of Frederick and Charity (nee Phillips) Bonnett. Jessie spent her life on the family farm at Mepunga. She was a keen collector of newspaper cuttings recipes, postcards and collectable cards of the day. She won prizes at the local agricultural show for her flower collections. Most young girls early to mid 20th century had autograph albums Today the entries in these are a source of great social history. This album contains many local names of the time (Flett, Wiggs, Jenkinson Philips, Hortle etc.) and there are several interesting sketches and works of art. This album is of considerable significance as it was owned by Jessie Bonnett a member of a pioneer family in the Mepunga district. It is an important contribution to social history (1910 -12).This is an autograph album with a dark red leather cover. It has gold lettering on the front cover, pages with gilt edges, hand written entries, hand paintings and sketches. Autographs vintage autograph albums, jessie bonnett

A collection of photographs depicting numerous people. Some have been taken by studios such as Lovewell & Co, Hider, Jordan and Daniel Clarke of Warrnambool. Most of the photos are unnamed but of those that are there is a Thom Wickham, E. M. Fleming, Henry and Stanly Frisch. There are also a number of photographs depicting land clearing and wood cutting also a couple of cards, one happy New year and Glaedelig Jul( Danish Merry Christmas)An album typical of the era with local family connections as well as work by local photographersBrown leather cover with gold figure work over embossing on the front with possibly the letter,”C”. The back cover is entirely embossed. Edges of metal clasp are on front and back cover but clasp part is missing. Gold edges to pages, which are all heavy card. Front inside page has pink briar roses with “Album” on card inserted through it.Jan 17th 1888. To Morris from H Bambrick?warrnambool, warrnambool photographers, lovewell & co, jordan photographers, daniel clarke, thom wickham, e m fleming, henry frisch, stanley frisch

The clock was either made or sold by T. Gaunt & Co. of Melbourne, a manufacturer, importer and retailer of a wide variety of goods including jewellery, clocks and watches, navigational and measuring instruments, dinnerware, glassware and ornaments. Thomas Gaunt photograph was included in an album of security identity portraits of members of the Victorian Court, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888. Thomas Gaunt History: Thomas Gaunt established Melbourne's leading watchmaking, optical and jewellery business during the second half of the 19th century. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1852, and by 1858 had established his own business at 14 Little Bourke Street. Around 1869 he moved to new premises in Bourke Street on the corner of Royal Arcade, Gaunt's shop quickly became a Melbourne institution. Gaunt proudly advertised that he was 'The only watch manufacturer in the Australian colonies'. While many watches and clocks may have had Gaunt's name on the dial, few would have been made locally. Gaunt did make some watches for exhibitions, and perhaps a few expensive watches for wealthy individuals. Gaunt's received a telegraph signal from Melbourne Observatory each day to correct his main clock and used this signal to rate and repair ship's chronometers and good quality watches. His main horological manufacturing was directed at turret clocks for town halls, churches and post offices. These tended to be specific commissions requiring individualised design and construction. He made the clock for the Melbourne Post Office lobby, to a design by Government Astronomer Robert Ellery, and won an award at the 1880-81 Melbourne International Exhibition for his turret clock for the Emerald Hill Town Hall. He became well known for his installation of a chronograph at Flemington Racecourse in 1876, which showed the time for the race, accurate to a quarter of a second. The firm also installed the clockwork and figures for Gog and Magog in the Royal Arcade. Thomas Gaunt also developed a department that focused on scientific instrumentation, making thermometers and barometers (from imported glass tubes), telescopes, surveying instruments and microscopes. Another department specialised in electroplating for trophies, awards and silverware, and the firm manufactured large amounts of ecclesiastical gold ware and silverware, for the church including St Patrick's Cathedral. There are no records that disclose the number of employees in the firm, but it was large enough for Gaunt to hold an annual picnic for the watchmakers and apprentices at Mordialloc from 1876; two years previously they had successfully lobbied Gaunt to win the eight hour day. Gaunt's workforce was reportedly very stable, with many workers remaining in the business for 15 to 30 years. Gaunt's wife Jane died on September 1894, aged 64. They had one son and six daughters, but only three daughters survived to adulthood. Two became nuns at the Abbotsford Convent and one daughter, Cecelia Mary Gaunt (died 28 July 1941), married William Stanislaus Spillane on 22 September 1886 and had a large family. Gaunt died at his home in Coburg, Victoria, leaving an estate valued at ₤41,453. The business continued as T. Gaunt & Co. after his death. Post Office and Clock History: Warrnambool’s Post Office has been in existence since 1857, when it was originally situated on the corner of Timor and Gilles Street. In March 1864 the Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25, “to be put up in front of the Post Office”. Henry Walsh Jnr was the eldest son of Melbourne’s Henry Walsh, maker and retailer of clocks, watches, thermometers and jewellery. In 1854 Henry Walsh Jnr. began business in Warrnambool as a watchmaker and jeweller later becoming a Councillor with now a local street named after him. The Post Office was extensively remodelled in 1875-76. Early photographs of this building show that the clock was installed on the northern outside wall, Timor Street, under the arches and between the 2 centre windows, where it could be seen by passers-by. Although spring loaded clocks date back to the 15th century, and fob and pocket watches evolving from these date to the 17th century, personal pocket watches were only affordable to the very fortunate. Public clocks such as this Post Office clock provided opportunity for all to know the time, and for those in possession of a personal watch to check and set their own timepieces to the correct time. During post office reservations during the 1970s the clock was removed and was eventually donated to the Flagstaff Collection. The Clock’s maker Thomas Gaunt, is historically significant and was an established and well renowned scientific instrument and clock maker in Melbourne during the 1860s. He was at that time the only watchmaker in the Australian colonies. In the 1870’s and 1880’s he won many awards for his clocks and was responsible for sending time signals to other clocks in the city and rural areas, enabling many businesses and organisations to accurate set their clocks each day. Warrnambool Borough Council purchased this clock from Henry Walsh Jnr. for the sum of £25 and the clock used to stand in front of the Warrnambool post office to allow ordinary citizens to set their time pieces as they walked by. The item is not only important because it was made by a significant early colonial clock maker and retailed by a locally known clock maker and jeweler but also that it was installed in the Warrnambool Post Office a significantly historical building in it's own right. Built in 1857 and regarded as one of the oldest postal facilities in Australia, with a listing on the National Heritage Database, (ID 15656). This 1864 hall clock originates from the Warrnambool Post Office. The clock glass is hinged to the top of the clock face and has a catch at the bottom. The metal rim of the glass is painted black. The clock face is metal, painted white, with black Roman numerals and markings for minutes and five minutes. The tip of the small hour hand is shaped like a leaf. "T. GAUNT / MELBOURNE" is printed in black on the clock face. The winding key hole is just below the centre of the clock face. The key winds a fusee chain mechanism, attached to the brass mainspring barrel that powers the pendulum with an 8-day movement. The speed of the clock can be adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the pendulum, lengthening or shortening the swing; raising the pendulum shortens its swing and speeds up the clock. The metal fusee mechanism has an inscription on it. The rectangular wooden casing is with a convex curve at the bottom that has a hinged door with a swivel latch. The original stained surface has been painted over with a matte black. There are two other doors that also allow access to the clock’s workings. The case fits over the pendulum and workings at the rear and attaches to the clock by inserting four wooden pegs into holes in the sides of the case then into the back of the clock. A flat metal plate has been secured by five screws onto the top of the case and a hole has been cut into it for the purpose of hanging up the clock. There is a nail inside the case, possibly used for a place to the key."T. GAUNT MELBOURNE" is printed on the clock face. “6 1 3” embossed on the back of the fusee mechanism behind the clock. warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwrecked artefact, clock, warrnambool post office, fusee, henry walsh jnr, thomas gaunt, t gaunt & co, post office clock

INTERVIEW: Five typed pages of an interview with Mr Leonard Charles Bennetts on Monday 22nd of July 1996. Mentioned are his time as a child, his work, life in the Army, his employment after the Army, changes in Bendigo in his time, and a little about family. Interview recorded by Isobel GillIsobel Gillperson, individual, leonard bennetts, mr leonard bennetts, isabel e gill, foggitt's factory, mckenzie street methodist sunday school & church, violet street state school, raes hill school, bendigo high school, mr wickings, allan's walk, abbott's boot shop, matchett's, crofts, gwen norris, jean norris, john bennetts, peter bennetts, army survey corp, 3rd tank transporter company, 2/16th (australian general transport company) a g t, gordon norris, sylva evans, reg ford, hams, jack thomas, sidy waight, shamrock hotel, s e c, post office, dudley house, alexander fountain, the temperance hall, sandhurst trustee building, fire station, the hospital, anne caudle centre