Captain Benjamin Francis (Frank) Helpmann was once the owner of the S.S. CHAMPOIN, then owned it in partnership with S. G. Henty. S.S. CHAMPION was an early steamship and one of the first coastal traders to operate between Melbourne and Portland in Victoria from December 1853 until August 1857, when she collided with the S.S. LIRDY BIRD in the open sea off Cape Otway. CHAMPION was returning from Melbourne, and sank with thirty-two people still on board. The thirty others were saved by the LIRDY BIRD (ref. The Story of a Port : Portland, Victoria, by Noel F. Learmonth)This picture Lithograph) is associated with the S.S. Champion, which is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database VHR S110. The wreck of the SS Champion is significant historically as one of Victoria's worst shipwrecks. As an early steamship it played an important part in the development of and communications between the Western district and Melbourne . Although the site has not yet been located it is predicted to be highly significant archaeologically with the potential to yield information about early coastal shipping and the western district passenger and cargo trade. It is significant technically as an example of an early iron screw steamship, and is part of the western district steamship resource including the SS Casino, SS Coramba and SS Julia Percy.Painting. Lithograph of the schooner S S Champion, hand coloured watercolour, in a cedar frame behind glass. Unusual cross member bracing on the corners of the frame (one missing). Title "Iron S.S. Champion Frank Helpmann Esq. Comr" (in script) on bottom of picture.On the bottom of the painting "Iron S.S. Champion" (in printing), "Frank Helpmann Esq. Comr" (in script) shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, lithograph, frank helpmann, henty

One of a collection of photographs purchased by the Society from Jack Day of Mornington.Black & White postcard of Broadwater. Broadwater was owned by Florence and Rajah Oswin Roberts - 1912. Built in 1890's by the Henty Family for their holiday home."Broadwater" Cowes Phillip Island. On Back: "Dear Matre. We are in the front room on the left and are having a good time. We have seen teddy bears and penguins. Had a few swims and are all feeling better. Hoping you are well. Love from all. Richard.broadwater cowes, phillip island, henty family, oswin roberts, jack day collection

This hand embroidered fire screen was embroidered by Winifred Caroline Henty Hindson (1887–1967), Elsie May Eliza Hindson (1880–1968) and Louisa (Louie) Charlotte Frances Hindson (1885–1963) three of the daughters of Alice Henty and John Hindson. Their grandfather, Francis Henty, was the youngest son of Thomas Henty, who with his family, their retainers and property moved to the Australian colonies between 1829 and 1832. In 1834, Francis’ older brother, Edward, sailed from Launceston in Van Diemen’s Land to what was to become Portland in the western part of Port Phillip District [Victoria]. Francis, together with the first flock of Merino sheep [in Victoria], followed some months later. The first and second generations of the Henty family established vast pastoral properties in the Western part of the Port Phillip District. Francis Henty managed ‘Merino Downs’ near Casterton, while also living in his retirement at ‘Field Place' in Kew.The Henty Collection of nineteenth and twentieth century clothing, including outerwear and underwear, was collected, stored and exhibited over time by female family members descended from Francis and Mary Ann Henty. During the twentieth century, items from the collection were modelled in two fashion parades by various descendants [1937, 1959]. The items in the collection are historically and aesthetically significant, with provenance provided by oral and written tradition within or held by the family. A number of the items in the collection are very rare survivors, and provide researchers with the evidence needed to reconstruct the lives of notable women in the Port Phillip District [later Victoria] during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Multicoloured silk embroidered floral composition on a black fabric background created by Louisa, Elsie and Winifred Hindson. The embroidery is held behind glass and is protected by blackened wood at the back. The screen is suspended in an ebonized and gilded frame with two rows of spindle decoration. fire screens, women's work, embroidery - 20th century, elsie hindson, louisa hindson, winifred hindson