Otira was designed and built in 1887 by architect Mr Crouch, first Secretary of the Institute of Architects for Mr Henry Berry, founder of a successful wholesale grocery business. The house was acquired by the Methodist Church in 1923 for use as a home missionary training college. The house is of faced stone on a bluestone foundation. The large front door is surrounded by lead light windows surmounted by a fan light. The land on which the house stands has now been subdivided.B & W gloss photograph mounted on card of the rear of Otira, the Home Missionary Training College located at 73 Walpole Street Kew. Otira 73 Walpole Street Kew. Home MIssionaries Training College. otira, methodist home missionary training school walpole street kew, henry berr crouch

Otira was designed and built in 1887 by architect Mr Crouch, first Secretary of the Institute of Architects for Mr Henry Berry, founder of a successful wholesale grocery business. The house was acquired by the Methodist Church in 1923 for use as a home missionary training college. The house is of faced stone on a bluestone foundation. The large front door is surrounded by lead light windows surmounted by a fan light. The land on which the house stands has now been subdivided.B & W gloss photograph mounted on card of Otira, the Home Missionary Training College located at 73 Walpole Street Kew. The photograph was taken from the street.Otira 73 Walpole Street Kew. Home MIssionaries Training College. otira, methodist home missionary training college walpole street kew, henry berr crouch

Regimental guard from D Squadron 13th Light Horse at Torquay Camp 1940. The regiment was raised as 13th Light Horse (Gippsland), a Citizen Forces unit following WWI, and trained as a cavalry regiment till August 1940, when it converted from horse to mechanised initially as 13th Motor Regiment then 13th Armoured Regiment. It trained in Victoria and, as the Japanese threat to the mainland declined, was disbanded in October 1943 with men going to other units.Two black and white photographs of troop of Lighthorsemen about to mount guard in camp at Torquay 1940.13th, light horse, torquay

These braces date to the latter half of the 20th century. They were issued to the “Prince of Wales’s Light Horse’ Regiment, however the date of issue is unknown. A Prince of Wales Light Horse unit was based in Kyneton, a neighboring town to Woodend. This jacket likely originated from the Kyneton area. The uniform type was still in use during the Vietnam war in which the Regiment participated. Considering the condition of the item, it is highly likely that it has not seen active serviceThese braces are representative of a piece of standard issue Army uniform. They are also in very good condition.Dark green leather and elastic braces. The section that fastens to the back has two leather attachments with holes and slits for fastening to trousers. This section extends upwards and divides into two elastic straps to afix over shoulders. There is one metallic clip that holds that elastic in place near the front of the brace, where it is folded over and can be adjusted. The two strips then end with two leather attachments each, with holes and slits for fastening to the front of a pair of trousers. The leather components are textured on the exterior and smoother on the interior. The interior sections of the leather pieces are also cream coloured. battle dress, braces, uniform, armoured, cavalry, prince of wales light horse

The 8th Light Horse (Indi) Regiment superseded the 16th Light Horse in 1919. It had its headquarters at Benalla with sub-units throughout the Upper Murray and Northeast Victoria. In December 1941, the regiment converted from horse to mechanised, initially as 8th Reconnaissance Battalion then in July 1942 it became 8th Cavalry Regiment and served in Northern Territory. As Japanese threat to the mainland declined the regiment was disbanded. Soldier thought to be J Bell of Wangaratta.Shows horse linesBlack and white photograph of soldier in horse lines.horse, 8th light horse

This type of head dress was very commonly worn by British Commonwealth Forces in the Sub Continent and other tropical areas. This particular example would have been a common sight in Northern Australia during the time frame, as well as Africa, Middle East and the Pacific. It is a light weight ventilated helmet offering good air circulation via the vent in the top of the crown, and shade to the back of the neck. As well as protection by the peaked front for the eyes reducing glare, preventing sun and heat stroke. It also created an image of gentlemanly dress and pride in appearance. It conformed to an ideal and was considered quite fashionable and a little dashing, often worn at a jaunty angle, creating a rakish air, far from today's simplistic view of pure functionality and at as low as possible cost. Whether worn with a tropical uniform with jacket and trousers, or open necked shirt and shorts, the wearer was easily identifiable as British or one of the Commonwealth countries.WW2 RAAF Wolsley cork helmet. Helmet Khaki cotton six (6) panel outer, with three (3) fold pugaree. Colour patch on left side approximately 6cm X 5.5cm, Dark blue,2.5cm, Light blue, 0.5cm and Maroon 2.5cm. Tan leather trim around brim, tan leather chin strap. Traditional pith helmet four (4) hole domed type vent on top of crown. Beige leather sweat band pierced around the top and with a cotton cord adjustment threaded around. Fixed to shell in four points diagonally. Interior is also covered in Khaki cotton. Hand written in brown ink. A1917 F/Lt C KERR GRANTworld war two, head dress, helmet, pith, cork, cloth covered, leather trimmed, royal australian air force, officer, flight lieutenant, khaki, pith helmet, air force, tropical, hat

This book is the 1835 second edition of John Harrison Curtis' 1833 'A Treatise on the Physiology and Diseases of the Eye, containing a new mode of curing cataract without an operation, experiments and observations on vision, also on the inflection, reflection and colours of light together with remarks on the preservation of sight, and on spectacles, reading glasses etc'. The title page describes J H Curtis (1778-1860) as an oculist and also as an expert on the ear. His knowledge of eye pathology and surgery was poor but this was typical of the medical profession until the middle of the 19th century. He was 'aurist in ordinary' to His Majesty and other members of the royal family and his hospital and teaching appointments had more to do with the ear rather than the eye. The last pages of the book list his other publications most of which concern the ear and the deaf. He was the first person, in 1803, to apply speaking tubes to assist the deaf. He established the Royal Ear Hospital in Soho, UK in 1816.This book is of historic significance as it shows contemporary understanding of ocular pathology in the early nineteenth century. It is quite rare as no other copies of the second edition are known in Australia.'A Treatise on the Physiology and the Diseases of the Eye' by J H Curtis is book of 1835 bound in its original boards, in very good condition, 230 x 140 mm, 242 pages, second edition. There is a coloured plate facing the title page with three figures featuring an ingenious lift up section of a woman's face to show the blood vessels and nerves underneath. There is a philosophical introduction, a chapter on ocular anatomy, two chapters on diseases and their treatment, one on the nature of light and one on the preservation of vision. Cataract is treated by withdrawal of blood from behind the ear and the application of an ointment to an induced blister on the neck, with potash applied to the cornea daily.optics, ocular anatomy, ocular disease, physiology, cataract

The Little Friarbird is a migrational bird, moving between northern Australia and the New South Wales/Victoria border in the spring and autumn times. It is primarily found near in forests and near water: rivers, wetlands. They eat nectar, bugs, fruit and seeds. They form monogamous pairs and nest close to water. They are not a threatened species. The Little Friarbird has a brown head, back, wings and tail. Its chest is light brown. Its legs, beak and face are dark grey. It has bright blue patches on its cheeks under the eyes. This specimen does not accurately match how the Little Friarbird looks because the specimen has lost clumps of feathers on its chest, neck and face. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from various institutions across Australia, including the Australian Museum in Sydney and the National Museum of Victoria (known as Museums Victoria since 1983), as well as individuals such as amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880. These skins were then mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee and put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century. This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century This Little Friarbird has blue patches on its cheeks, brown head, back and tail. The front and neck are a light brown. Its back is grey. It has serious pest damage to the back of its neck, which has no feathers. Above its eyes shows early signs of pest damage. The front of the bird has ruffled patches of feathers. It stands on a dark wooden stand. It has an identification tag hanging from its left leg. Label: 61a/ Blue faced Honey Eater / See catalogue page 19 taxidermy mount, taxidermy, burke museum, beechworth, little friarbird, australian bird

Agate occurs when amygdales (gas pockets) form in the upper levels of basaltic lava flows. If these pockets or bubbles are iniltrated by water bearing silica in solution, the fluid dries and hardens in layers, forming round or egg shaped nodules or geodes within the rocky matrix. Agate is formed of a silica mineral chalcedony similar to quartz. Although relatively common and semi-precious, agate has been prized since at least 1450 BC - an intricately carved agate seal was found in the 2015 excavation of a grave belonging to a Mycenaeum priest or warrior near Pylos in Greece. Agate is also used in jewellery and other decorative or ritual purposes due to its often striking appearance. These specimens originated in North Queensland, which contains noted agate-fossicking regions such as in the area surrounding Forsayth. They were collected in approximately 1852 as an adjunct to the Geological Survey of Victoria. It was donated to the Museum in 1868. Victoria and other regions of Australia were surveyed for sites of potential mineral wealth throughout the 19th Century. The identification of sites containing valuable commodities such as gold, iron ore and gemstones in a locality had the potential to shape the development and history of communities and industries in the area. The discovery of gold in Victoria, for instance, had a significant influence on the development of the area now known as 'the goldfields', including Beechworth; the city of Melbourne and Victoria as a whole. The specimens are significant as examples of surveying activity undertaken to assess and direct the development of the mineral resource industries in Victoria and Australia, as well as the movement to expand human knowledge of earth sciences such as mineralogy and geology in the nineteenth century. Two solid egg-sized pieces of peach/orange toned agate (a common semi-precious chalcedony, similar to quartz) with a striped pattern, embedded in a light and dark brown matrix. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, agate, north queensland agate, 1852 geological survey of victoria, l. hufer - donor, mineralogy, agate specimen, indigo shire

This book contains interviews with 48 of the 300 centenarians listed by the Australian Bicentennial Authority, whose long lives together form an oral social history of the development of Australia over the past one hundred years. It includes reminiscences of Judy Bagu, Jimmy Bird, Paddy Djiaween and Walter Smith; brief accounts of bush foods, medicines, uses of plants, birth and mortuary rituals; working lives on cattle stations, missions, prospecting, dingo trapping, camel working, pearling, shire council; Kunmunyah, Beagle Bay Mission, Broome.This compilation of stories from centenarians is a contemporary social record of one hundred years of living through two world wars and the Great Depression in Australia. A 183 pp book with a light brown cover, darker spine. On the front cover is a photograph of a pair of hands. Print is black "A Ton of Spirit Australian Centenarians talk with Penny Smith".book-a-ton-of-spirit-penny-smith social-records-early-australia

The Grinton Collection. A Civilian with a cartload of possessions. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details.Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper, depicting a civilian with a dog, horse and a cartload of possessions. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 2: Burden of War" "E. A civilian with a cartload of possessions". framed accessories, camera on the somme, 38th bn, agrinton, ww1, civilians

The Grinton Collection. The original grave of Albert Gilhooley No 890 38th Bn, KIA 31.8.1918. Refer Cat No 5074P for his photo. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service details. Photograph framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicting a field grave with a cross in a field of grass. Frame - Timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 4: Portraiture and remembrance". "M. Field grave of a 38th Battalion soldier - Gilhooley".framed accessories, camera on the somme, 38th bn, ww1, grinton, field grave

This miniature cash tin was produced by Fry's Chocolate Company of England as a promotional giveaway and probably held some chocolate samples. It would then have been used in a household for keeping trinkets or other small items. The Fry's Chocolate Company was established in Bristol, England in the mid 18th century by Joseph Fry and in the mid 19th century it produced the first mass-produced chocolate bar (1866 - Chocolate Cream, 1913 Turkish Delight). The company merged with the Cadbury company in 1919 and the Tasmanian Cadbury factory which opened in 1921 was known as Cadbury-Fry-Pascall. Fry's chocolate bars were very popular in Australia. This item is retained as a memento of Fry's Chocolate Company, the products of which featured in Australian life for many decades. This is a rectangular metal tin painted black and light brown. It has a hinged lid and a metal handle held with clips inserted into slits on the top of the lid. There is printing on the lid and a label on the base.Cash Fry's Chocolatechocolate bars, fry's chocolate, miniature cash tin

Mrs M E Cawthan AWAS1. Jacket - wool, khaki, metal buttons. Rising Sun on each lapel. 2. Dress - Cotton, light khaki, no buttons. 3. Belt - Wool, khaki, metal buckle.uniform, awas

Forage cap khaki colours, sightly curved top, has overlay strap with two metal buttons at front, inside has light khaki layer with two labels sewn on.On one label, maker, "J Josephson 1941", on the other in blue pen, "K.L.Cusack"headwear, forage, uniform

Items souvenired by Alan Mason, refer cat No 3979.2.1).2) Currency Malayan, “One Dollar”, rectangular shape, blue, white and light brown colours, photo inset of the King on right hand side, note s dated..1) “G (over) 5 074883” .2) “G (over 5) 074884”currency, malayan, one dollar

Book contains notes for physical training. Property belonged to Howard Maxwell DAY VX31282, 2nd AIF. Refer Reg No 92.2 for service details also 87, 88, 90, 91.2.Light brown cardboard cover; name & illustration of knight in armour on horseback on front. Inside, lined pages with margins & handwritten notes. Australian Comforts Fund loose sheet inside.Handwritten top right: VX31282 L/Cpl H.M Day 3 Corps Section 1st Aust Ord Fld Park Front centre: Domrémy Bottom left: No 4760documents - notebooks, records, training instructions

William Victor Carson No 3132, enlisted on 20.1.1916 age 18 years 2 months in the 8th reinforcements 57th Bn AIF. Embarked for England 16.12.1916, embark for France 14.5.1917, WIA 30.9 1918 GSW Face, as he moved through the system it was altered to Face and head then to GSW to eye on 9.10.1918 with Right Eye removed, embark for Australia 9.12.1918, discharged from the AIF on 8.3.1919 medically unfit. .1) ID Disc, fibre, octagonal, light brown, 1 hole on L & R sides. .2) ID Disc, fibre, round, dark brown, 1 hole at top..1) Stamped: “CARSON. W. V. 3132 57 BN AIF PRES” .2) Stamped: “W. V. CARSON 3132 57 BN AIF PRES”administrative record, identity disc’s,

Heavy metal & enamel, circular medallion. Centre has 3 coloured stripes, dark blue / red / light blue. Rear is embossed with Australian Coat of Arms, black on gold.In centre over stripes: A kangaroo with words “OPERATION SLIPPER” Circumference: COMMEMORATING AUSTRALIAN OPERATION - AFGHANISTAN AND THE MIDDLE EAST” Rear: “OPERATION SLIPPER AUSTRALIA 2001 - 2014” medallion, slipper, operation, commemoration

The letter is from Rosskeen Manse & appears to be signed off by a D MacDiarmid Esq. Letter relates to R C ALLARDICE. Ref Reg No 3704.2 for other letters from the same address. Ref Reg No 3627.5 for his service details & collection.2 page letter on light blue parchment paper, print in fine black ink in a circular rotation. .1) Written on 1 side only. .2) Written on both sides.letters, raaf

Photo, black & white, a chest up portrait of a young man in what appears to be the Flying Corps uniform. He is wearing a fore & aft forage cap with light coloured band.Bottom: "Yours sincerely Harold 22.1.17"photography-photographs, military history - air force, passchendaele barracks trust

Colour Patch, triangular shaped. The centre has a broad dark blue vertical stripe with a thin red line either side. Outside of the red lines are light blue triangles.uniforms - badges, military history - flying corps

Mens shirt, light jungle green, collarless uniform shirt with long sleeves, 2 front breast pockets with bottom down flaps, epaulettes & half closure with 3 buttons.uniform - military - army, costume - male uniform, passchendaele barracks trust

Heavy wooden frame, glass front, khaki coloured border, black & white photo of an Australian Light Horse Soldier on a donkey with a bandolier of extra ammunition around its neck.Top "Palestine 1917". Bottom, "Off to view the Promised land"photography-photographs, military history - army, palestine

Light Khaki, hard cover book. 287 pages illustrated. Title in gold letters with red backing on spine. Title also in black lettering on white paper stuck on spine.Written on fly leaf: "Donated by K Proud"books, history

HISTORY OF THE LOCH ARD The LOCH ARD belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many ships from England to Australia. Built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curdle and Co. in 1873, the LOCH ARD was a three-masted square rigged iron sailing ship. The ship measured 262ft 7" (79.87m) in length, 38ft (11.58m) in width, 23ft (7m) in depth and had a gross tonnage of 1693 tons. The LOCH ARD's main mast measured a massive 150ft (45.7m) in height. LOCH ARD made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage. LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. She was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers and a load of cargo. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. There were items included that intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the LOCH ARD tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton porcelain peacock - one of only seven in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today, the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's shipwreck artefact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register most valuable. The LOCH ARD shipwreck is of State significance – Victorian Heritage Register S 417 Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Silver plated copper alloy table fork - entrée, from the wreck of the Loch Ard. Length 7⅛ " Some verdigris and silver oxide. Light encrustation on fork. Hallmark visible.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, table fork - entrée, table fork, loch ard, entrée fork

This design of ink bottle was commonly referred to as a ‘penny ink well’ because it was very inexpensive to produce. It is also known as a dwarf ink bottle. Pen and ink has been in use for hand writing from about the seventh century up until the mid-20th century up until around the mid-19th century a quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used. In the 1850s the steel point pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. In the 1880s a successful portable fountain pen was designed, giving a smooth flowing ink and ease of use replacing the quill or dip pen. History of the Loch Ard: The Loch Ard got its name from "Loch Ard" a loch that lies to the west of Aberfoyle, and the east of Loch Lomond. It means "high lake" in Scottish Gaelic. The vessel belonged to the famous Loch Line which sailed many vessels from England to Australia. The Loch Ard was built in Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co. in 1873, the vessel was a three-masted square-rigged iron sailing ship that measured 79.87 meters in length, 11.58 m in width, and 7 m in depth with a gross tonnage of 1693 tons with a mainmast that measured a massive 45.7 m in height. Loch Ard made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, who was newly married. The ship was bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen, and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead, and copper. There were other items included that were intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. Then at 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land. But the Loch Ard was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4 am the fog lifted and a lookout aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the vessel out to sea. On coming head-on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and Loch Ard's bow swung back towards land. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold their position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time the ship was among the breakers and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. Waves subsequently broke over the ship and the top deck became loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. When a lifeboat was finally launched, it crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as Lochard Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed, and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael a passenger had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "If you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke the open case of brandy that had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a complete state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached Loch Ard Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost families in the disaster. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce, and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy. Ten days after the Lochard tragedy, salvage rights to the wreck were sold at auction for £2,120. Cargo valued at £3,000 was salvaged and placed on the beach, but most washed back into the sea when another storm developed. The wreck of Lochard still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island. Much of the cargo has now been salvaged and some items were washed up into Lochard Gorge. Cargo and artefact's have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced in March 1982. One of the most unlikely pieces of cargo to have survived the shipwreck was a Minton majolica peacock- one of only nine in the world. The peacock was destined for the Melbourne 1880 International Exhibition. It had been well packed, which gave it adequate protection during the violent storm. Today the Minton peacock can be seen at the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum in Warrnambool. From Australia's most dramatic shipwreck it has now become Australia's most valuable shipwreck artifact and is one of very few 'objects' on the Victorian State Heritage Register.This ink well is historically significant as it represents methods of hand written communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century, when fountain pens and ballpoint pens took over in popularity and convenience. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefact's from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefact's from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collection's objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.Stoneware penny Ink bottle ironstone salt-glazed, stoneware cylindrical shape with small mouth and squat neck, broad shoulders brown colour, . with light coloured encrustation spots.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, penny ink well, writing equipment, domestic, stoneware, clay, ceramic, pottery, ink well, inkwell, ink bottle, dip pen, ink, hand writing, business, vintage, dwarf ink

Owned by William Albert HARRISON (Service Number VX41478; above Link ["WW2 Record"] Sent home to his mother from Liban on 25-10-41 Soldier's name known. Items donated (date unknown) by brother-in-law who was living in Montmorency and was a committee member of MERSL when item donated.Oval shaped slice of wood from the cedar tree in Lebanon. (Liban) Stained with light brown varnish. Original bark from tree all around trhe edge of plateStamp in French possibly where it was made, Artiols bois des cedres. Becharry Liban. Salim Kabalan. Hand written message;- Edna with all the best to you Bill. Dated 25-10-41