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Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - B/W photograph, Clive Brooks, Old Police Station/Residence (c1859) front view, Cornish St. Buninyong near Yuille St, 19 July 1993
1850's Gold Rush Police PrecinctB/W photo, Old Police Station/Residence (c1859) Cornish St. Buninyong near Yuille St.buninyong, warden's office, butter factory, depot, couthouse, police -
Buninyong & District Historical Society
Photograph - Original Photograph, Clive Brooks, 1859 Buninyong Police Residence/Station, former Legal Precinct, Cornish St., from south, 9 Nov. 1991
detail of historic buildingColour photo 1859 Buninyong Police Residence/Station, former Legal Precinct, Cornish St., from southbuninyong, police station, legal precinct, cornish st. -
Federation University Art Collection
Painting, Diana Nikkelson, 'My Family, My Life Goes On' by Diana Nikkelson
Diana NIKKELSON (c1943-30 December 2022) Diana Nikkelson is a Ballarat-based Gunditjmara elder. Her grandfather was Watchobaluk. A part of the stolen generation, Diana Nikkelson was one of 10 children, and she had nine children of her own. A founding member of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative in the late-70s, Diana Nikkelson was a board director for 16 years and chair for six years. She worked on the Bunjil the Eagle installation at the Koorie Playground at Lake Wendouree, and designed the goanna which was etched into the paving along Police Lane in 2006, and has painted murals across Ballarat. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.AboriginalThis work by Ballarat-based Gunditjmara elder Diana Nikkelson was commissioned by the University of Ballarat (later Federation University) for use on the Aboriginal Employment Strategy brochure. The central figures in this painting represent the artist and the fathers of her children. The outer groups are Diana Nikkelson’s children and their families. art, artwork, diana nikkelson, aboriginal, dreaming, nikkelson, gunditjmara, aboriginal employment strategy -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Telegram, circa 1862
A large lot of papers, including this and other telegrams, were apparently found in the ceiling cavity of the Sandy Creek/Tarnagulla Post and Telegraph Office in the later 20th Century, during building works. Donald Clark Collection. Telegram sent from Sandy Creek / Tarnagulla Telegraph Office. From John Papineau (on behalf of E.N. Francis) to Mrs Giradini, Sandhurst. Text reads 'Your brother and his mate bought a horse at Cochrane's Diggings which had been stolen and the police found it in their possession. They are innocent but I have to bring witnesses a long distance. I shall defend them in expectation of securing the five pounds from you'. -
Thompson's Foundry Band Inc. (Castlemaine)
Sheet Music, Girl On The Police Gazzete
... Street Castlemaine goldfields Girl On The Police Gazzete Sheet ... -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of Comrie family in Tarnagulla, Comrie family in Tarnagulla, 31st January 1924
Murray Comrie Collection. The house in this photo was the residence of the town police officer. The town block where the house was located was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. At the time of this photo (1924), the father of these children, Angus Comrie Snr was the constable for Tarnagulla. Adjacent to this house was a lockup, office and stable (shown in THA-2019.0031). Behind the residence and outbuildings (in background of this photo) was an adjoining paddock for the police horses. This house was sold for removal in in the 1960s and replaced with a prefabricated residence and small office from Bealiba. These as well as the lockup are still in place (as of 2019), but are no longer used. There are now private residences built on the former police horse paddock. A later image of this house is THA-2019.0032. For almost 100 years the Comrie name has been involved with the Victoria Police. Angus Comrie Snr, joined the force in 1899 and served as constable in Kaniva and Avoca and then in Tarnagulla from late 1909 until 1927. His son Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. The Murray Comrie Collection held by Tarnagulla History Archive was collated in the 1970s by Murray Comrie (1912-1983). Sepia photographic postcard, image depicting members of the Comrie family outside their home in Tarnagulla. According to the note on reverse, the subjects are as follows: On the verandah (left to right) are Murray Comrie, 'Mother' (Mary Ellen Comrie), and Keith Comrie. Angus Comrie Jr. is holding a roped mare. Standing at centre are 'Hilda' and 'Roy' (small child). See second image for handwritten notes on reverse.tarnagulla, police, policing, comrie -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of police buildings in Tarnagulla, Police buildings in Tarnagulla, 31st January 1924
Murray Comrie Collection. The buildings in this image are (from left to right) the lockup, stable and office of the Tarnagulla Police complex. At far left a small part of the rear of the policeman's residence is visible. This residence is clearly depicted in THA-2019.0030. Behind the residence and outbuildings (in background of this photo) was an adjoining paddock for the police horses. This town block was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. At the time of this photo (1924), Angus Comrie Snr was the constable for Tarnagulla, living at the police residence with his family. The residence was sold for removal in in the 1960s and replaced with a prefabricated residence and small office from Bealiba which were used until the 1990s. These as well as the lockup are still in place (as of 2019) on the corner of Victoria and Gladstone Streets. There are now private residences built on the former police horse paddock. For over 100 years the Comrie name has been involved with the Victoria Police. Angus Comrie Snr, joined the force in 1899 and served as constable in Kaniva and Avoca and then in Tarnagulla from late 1909 until 1927. His son Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. The Murray Comrie Collection held by Tarnagulla History Archive was collated in the 1970s by Murray Comrie (1912-1983).Sepia photographic postcard, image depicting members of the Angus Comrie family standing among police outbuildings in Tarnagulla. Based on the note on reverse of THA-2019.0030, the subjects are probably (left to right): Hilda Comrie (b.1904, married in1907 to Alf Clarke), Roy Comrie (b.1921), Keith Comrie (b.1911, d.1934) and either Angus Comrie Jr. (b.1909) or Murray Comrie (b. circa 1912). See second image for handwritten notes on reverse.tarnagulla, police, policing, comrie -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of former Tarnagulla Police Residence, Former Tarnagulla Police Residence, Mid 20th Century
Murray Comrie Collection. The house in this photo was once the residence of the Tarnagulla police officer. The town block where the house was originally built was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. The house was built in 1878 as a residence and adjacent was a lockup, office and stable (shown in THA-2019.0031). This house was sold for removal in in the late 1960s and replaced with a prefabricated residence and small office brought from Bealiba. These as well as the lockup are still in place (as of 2019), but are no longer used. It is not known where this house was moved to. It is not known whether this photo was taken before or after the house was moved. Monochrome photograph of a house which was once the police residence in Tarnagulla. Not known if this image was made when it was in its original position (Victoria Street Tarnagulla) or after it is was sold and moved in 1969. tarnagulla, police, policing, houses -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of former Tarnagulla Police Stable, Former Tarnagulla Police Stable, Mid 20th Century
Murray Comrie Collection. The town block where this stable was located was the base for policing in Tarnagulla from 1878 until the 1990s. The block was bounded by Stanley, Victoria, Wood and Gladstone Streets. The stable was built in 1886. An image of the stable in 1924 is THA-2019.0031. Monochrome photograph of a stable which once housed police horses in Tarnagulla. Dark red or brown weatherboard with white doors. tarnagulla, police, policing, horses, buildings -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of Constable Albert Clement Theobald in front of a log lockup, Constable Albert Clements Theobald in front of a log lockup, circa 1913 to 1930
Murray Comrie Collection. Albert Clement (or Clements) Theobald was born in Tarnagulla in 1887, and married Laura Battye in Tarnagulla in 1908. He joined the police force on 21 June, 1913 and died in Warburton in 1962. He was also known as Clem or 'Catty'. Monochrome photograph depicting Albert Clement 'Clem' Theobald, wearing police uniform, and standing in front of a log lockup, place unknown. An accompanying note says 'The Logs Eaglehawk' but the building looks different to the Eaglehawk Log Gaol. This building looks quite similar to the log lockup at Myrtleford. tarnagulla, police -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph of Courthouse Tarnagulla, Courthouse, Tarnagulla, circa 1920 (original image)
Murray Comrie Collection. This is a poor copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the late 1960s. Monochrome photograph of the Courthouse in Tarnagulla. This is a very poor quality copy of an older original.tarnagulla, courthouse, law, policing, buildings -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph: Men (Comries?) at Tarnagulla, Men (Comries?) at Tarnagulla, ca 1920s
Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph of six men and a boy all in suits, lined up in front of a small brick building which may be the police lockup in Tarnagulla. The older man is probably Sgt Angus Comrie, police sergeant in Tarnagulla. The boy is probably one of his sons, possibly Murray Comrie. This is a reasonable copy of an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1960s.tarnagulla, comrie, policing, police -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Photograph: Comrie children with sunflowers, Tarnagulla, 4th February 1925
Murray Comrie Collection. Monochrome photograph of three Comrie children with sunflowers in Tarnagulla, probably at their home, the police residence which was bounded by Gladstone, Victoria, Stanley and Wood Streets. This is an original photograph. Handwritten note on reverse identifies subjects as: 'Keith, Roy and Lon (Or Tom) with sunflowers 14 ins, 4 Feb 1925' Printed on reverse: 'Bock Print'tarnagulla, comrie, children, flowers -
Tarnagulla History Archive
News clipping: Tarnagulla is the abode of the blest, Tarnagulla is the abode of the blest, Second half of 19th Century
Murray Comrie Collection. A small news clipping from unknown publication with a short section about Tarnagulla. Text begins 'Tarnagulla is the abode of the blest'. References the post office and town hall, children picking up gold nuggets in the street and notes that the only lockup is a 'pile of logs'.tarnagulla, gold, buildings, post office, hall, children, lockup, lock up, policing, media -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Box of Murray Comrie's Research Notes (Set 1), Murray Comrie's Research Notes (Set 1), circa 1960s-80s
Murray Comrie Collection. Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. Blue-grey archive box containing research notes of Murray Comrie. Within this set are multiple archival folders with the following subject matter: Banks Lodge Gold & mining War/Military Local people Buildings Businesses Local government Post Offices Policing Recreation Reserve Railway Clubs & Societies Band/Music Hotels Churches Schools Fire Brigade Laanecoorie Early white history General (including many captions that accompanied photographs - which were separated from the photos for preservation storage reasons). The contents of these files were research notes compiled by Murray Comrie during his research for a book about Tarnagulla. tarnagulla, comrie, research, banks, lodge, gold & mining, war/military, local people, buildings, businesses, local government, post offices, policing, recreation reserve, railway, clubs & societies, band/music, hotels, churches, schools, fire brigade, laanecoorie, names -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Box of Murray Comrie's Research Notes (Set 2), Murray Comrie's Research Notes (Set 2), circa 1960s-80s
Murray Comrie Collection. Murray Comrie, born in Tarnagulla in 1912 also became a policeman and later a Chief Superintendent, retiring in 1972 and passing away in 1983 after a long illness. Murray Comrie's son Murray Jnr., to avoid confusion became known by his middle name, Neil. Neil Comrie also joined Victoria Police and rose through the ranks to become Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police from 1993 to 2001. Blue-grey archive box containing research notes of Murray Comrie. Contains: A series of 17 notepads in which Comrie has annotated historical information from local newspapers. A very long rolled up piece of paper on which is printed the Comrie family tree A yellow envelope containing photogrpahs which are low-quality and/or duplicates of other images in the Murray Comrie Collection. A ledger in which Comrie has listed every Police Station in Victoria and its establishment date. Four vinyl non-archival document binders in which Comrie's research notes and photographs were housed when donated. Material was transferred out of these for preservation reasons. The contents of this box were compiled or used by Murray Comrie during his research for a book about Tarnagulla. tarnagulla, comrie, research, banks, lodge, gold & mining, war/military, local people, buildings, businesses, local government, post offices, policing, recreation reserve, railway, clubs & societies, band/music, hotels, churches, schools, fire brigade, laanecoorie, names -
Tarnagulla History Archive
News clipping: A Story Without Names, A Story Without Names, June 29, 1966
Murray Comrie Collection. A page from People newspaper, of June 26, 1966 with article titled 'A Story Without Names' by Tom O'Mara. Describes a story (myth?) supposedly well-known in Tarnagulla. The story is about a child which was disfigured by her father who was being held in a lockup. He was said to have reached between the prison bars and bitten her face in retaliation for being betrayed to police by the child's mother. The author notes that no-one can verify the story or provide names of the participants. (A similar tale has been told elsewhere in which these events happened in Castlemaine Gaol). tarnagulla, lock up, lockup, crime, myths, stories -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Letter: from Llanelly Police Station, 15th August 1872
Murray Comrie Collection. A letter written by Constable Whyte of Llanelly Police Station on 15th August 1872. Concerns a man named Jacob Shied / Struid / Sluid (?), a Frenchman who speaks English and who has previously been arrested for being 'of nuisance mind' and may have come from 'the asylum at Melbourne' He is described as a 'lunatic at large'. The man apparently escaped supervision and ran into the bush. Whyte is asking another constable Glusau for assistance as Glusau has had contact with the 'lunatic' previously. tarnagulla, llanelly, policing, whyte, constable, lunatic asylum, frenchman, jacob -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Watch House Recognizance - Tarnagulla, 11th February 1863
Murray Comrie Collection. A Watch House Recognizance dated 11th February 1863. . Two persons named - J. Lemere (Baker) and William Marshall (Miner) both of Tarnagulla. States that William Marshall must appear at the Tarnagulla Police Office on 18th February 1863 to answer a charge of 'Being Drunk & disorderly on the public street at Tarnagulla on the 5th ______ '. Signed by Constable Patrick Fahey, Watch House Keeper.tarnagulla, policing, police, justice, courts, alcohol, fahey, marshall -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Watch House Recognizance - Lemere & Kennedy, 11th February 1863
Murray Comrie Collection. A Watch House Recognizance dated 11th February 1863. . Two persons named as paying 5 pounds each (bail)- J. Lemere (Baker) and William Kennedy (Miner) both of Tarnagulla. Signed by Lemere. States that William Kennedy must appear at the Tarnagulla Police Office on 18th February 1863 to answer a charge of 'Being Drunk & disorderly on the public street at Tarnagulla on the 5th Feb (?) '. Signed by Constable Patrick Fahey, Watch House Keeper.tarnagulla, policing, police, justice, courts, alcohol, fahey, kennedy -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Watch House Recognizance - Wright, 31st December 1852
Murray Comrie Collection. A Watch House Recognizance dated 31st December 1862. . Two persons named as paying 10 pounds each (bail)- James G. Wright and Henry Wright Sinnot or Sinnott (?) both of Tarnagulla. Signed by both. States that Louisa Wright must appear at the Tarnagulla Police Office on 2nd January 1863 to answer a charge of 'Stealing from the dwelling J. Fahey (?) on 31st December 1852'. Signed by Constable Patrick Fahey, Watch House Keeper.tarnagulla, policing, police, crime, justice, courts, fahey, wright -
Tarnagulla History Archive
List: Sandy Creek Watch House names, mid 20th Century
Murray Comrie Collection. A loose page from a mid -20th Century police 'Diary of Duty and Occurences'. On one page has been handwritten a long list of names under the heading 'From Sandy Creek Watch House Book 1859'. Not clear who has made the list and from what original it was transcribed but likely to have been made by Murrary Comrie. tarnagulla, sandy creek, policing, police, watch house, prisoners -
Tarnagulla History Archive
Box of Donald Clark's Research Notes, Donald Clark's Research Notes, circa 1960s-2000s
Donald Clark Collection. Blue-grey archive box containing research notes of Donald Clark. Within this set are multiple archival folders with the following subject matter: Hotels Gold, prospecting & mining Peace Picnic Street lighting Churches Cemetery Poems Shire of Bet Bet Chinese Clubs Police Transport Local businesses/premises Local people Post Offices Previous history work / previous history enquiries Back To Tarnagulla events Victoria Theatre / Entertainment Schools Water and waterways Early town Mapping and geography Photocopies of photos Miscellaneous Rail Link Centenary Newbridge Eddington Waanyarra Bet bet (town) Llanelly Murphy's Creek / Irishtown Laanecoorie Military Service Fire Brigade Tarnagulla Landmarks / Places of Interest Family Histories Births, Deaths, Marriage info Transcript of St. Saviour's Records A plastic pocket containing duplicate copies of local history images held elsewhere in the collection. The contents of these files were research notes compiled by Donald Clark from his local history research about Tarnagulla and district. tarnagulla & district, donald clark, research -
Harcourt Valley Heritage & Tourist Centre
Frost Smoke Pot
Frost pots were used by orchardists to protect ripening fruit from the effects of frost. The drum base was filled with sump oil and set out in the orchard and set alight on frosty nights. These frost pots were used by Norris' orchards. It was not unusual for the Police to have to close the Midland Highway due to the dense clouds of billowing smoke emanating from this orchard when frost was expected.A local solution to a basic problem of the Harcourt Horticultural industry.Frost Pot rounded base with sliding opening on lid and galvanised iron chimney with perforations. -
Federation University Historical Collection
Map, Ballarat Goldfield, c1898
This map shows geological features, suggests the last basalt flow, and includes alotments and names of Mining Companies. Although this map has no date on it the Ballarat Industrial School is used for dating purposed. The Ballarat Industrial School ran from 1869-1879, but the term Ballarat Industrial School Reserve was still in use in 1898 and possibly beyond.Geological Map of Ballarat with 3 holes in the left hand side. The map indicates the position of Lake Wendouree, Township of Warrenheip, Ballarat East, Industrial School Reserve, Winters Swamp, Police Paddock, Wyndholm Premptive Right (Salton and Waldie), Black Hill, Vale Park Reserve, Pennyweight Hill, Little Bendigo, Black Swamp Lead, monte Christo Reef, Chinaman's Gully, Miners Rest, Pincotts Dam, Northumberland Gully. It also show the following goldmining companies: City of Ballarat, Kohinor, Hand and Band, Great North West, Northern Junction, Kneeshaw, Rossers Freehold, Silurial.ballarat, warrenheip, lake wendouree, ballarat east, winters swamp, winter swamp, wyndholm premptive right, cemetery, vale park reserve, little bendigo, kneeshaw co., industrial school reserve, kirks dam, pincotts dam, black hill, wombat hill, dead horse gully, miners rest, mt rowan, salton and waldie, rose hill co, great north west no 1, rose's freehold co, hand and band co, police reserve, police paddock, mount rowan, ballarat industrial school reserve, market reserve, winter's swamp, kneeshar co, monte cristo line of reef, chinaman's gully or black snake, milkmaid's gully, ballarat gold field, bakery hil lead, old gravel pits lead, golden point lead, eureka lead, miner's rest, yarrowee creek, leigh creek, black swamp lead, yorkshire reef, nil desperandum reef, cockatoo lead, hit or miss gully, herbert werner frederick de nully, pennyweight hill, esmond's lead, ash's lead, nightingale lead, john bull gully, gladstone reef, whitehorse reef, petticoat creek, pincott's dam, frenchman's gully, tim's crushing plant, jenkin's gully, california gully, drake's creek, sulton and waldie, ballarat undustrial school, ballarat & mariborough railway -
Federation University Historical Collection
Plan, Camp Street Ballarat Parish Plan
Camp Street was the site of the original goldfields camp reserve, and it is from here that soldiers and police troopers left to attack the Eureka Stockade on 03 December 1854.PLan of Camp Street Ballaratcamp street, police reserve, old colonists' association, grenville street, lydiard street north, t. cowan, r. surtees, c.m. watson, w.h. foster, j.b. humffray, j.j. goller, h.r. caselli, henry caselli, market reserve, e.v. gribble, old colonists' association of ballarat -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Newspaper - Newspaper article re Joseph Harrison - A Life in the Day Series, "I'm the Bloody Man The Doctor Ordered" The Bendigo Goldfields 1850s, Joseph Harrison - A Life in the Day (Series)
Joseph Harrison, born York UK 1810, convict sentenced seven years hard labour Van Diaeman's Land - Tasmania. Ticket of Leave August 1837. Arrived Williams Town (Port Phillip). 1840 worked as waterman. Married Margaret Barrett, relocated to Kilmore. Travelled to Bendigo Creek January 1853. By July 1853 had threatened to kill wife and eldest son William. Charged with attempted murder. He died 29 September 1854. Newspaper article from The Bendigo Monthly September 2020 Page 12, Includes copies of photographs and other newspaper articles within the story. Story of Joseph Harrison, convict on goldfields. Other place names and persons mentioned in article - Williams Town (Port Phillip), Kilmore, Bendigo Creek Sandhurst), Back Creek; William Harrison, Margaret Barrett, Matthew Welsh, Peter Parram, Anne Hayes, Sergeant James Simmonds, Police Magistrate Lachlan McLachlan, Ellen Robinson (nee Langam), Tasmasine Harrison, John Duggan (Corky Jack). -
Federation University Historical Collection
Document - Gold License, Fittnall's Gold Licenses, 1854, 1) 1 May 1854 ; .2) 16 April 1855
From 1851 the Victorian government required all men on Victorian Goldfields to carry a Gold License. The fee was one pound per month, and was payable in advance. There was agitation surrounding the gold license which was thought to be an excessive fee and did not give the bearer right to representation. On 03 December 1854 the gold diggers on the Eureka Lead fought a short battle against the army and police troopers. A few months later a new system of taxing gold diggers was introduced - the Miner's Right.The Victorian Gold Licence was issued from 1851 until early 1855. Every man on a Victorian goldfield had to carry a valid gold license, so few survived the harsh treatment of being carried around a working goldfield. There was much dissatisfaction about what was thought to be an unfair mining tax (or gold license). On 29 November 1854 Ballarat miners burnt their licenses on Bakery Hill. On 3 December 1854 the Eureka Stockade Battle took place, resulting in the Goldfields Commission. The first Miner's Right was issued in late June 1855, and in July the first Local Courts were elected by miner's right holders. The two Fitnall Gold Licenses are important because they were issued on either side of the Eureka Stockade, and are in very good condition. The Gold Licenses were donated to the Ballarat School of Mines by John Wilson in 1921. Two gold licenses issued by the Colony of Victoria. The licenses are printed onto blue paper with a Colony of Victoria logo at the top. The licenses were issued on either side of the historic Eureka Stockade in Ballarat East which took place on 03 December 1854. .1) No 219 - Made out to [H?] Fithall on 16 April 1854 and signed by Commissioner R.C. Mackenzie. The license was valid until 31 July 1854. .2) No. 214 - Made out to [H?] Fithall on 1 May 1854 and signed by Commissioner J. Johnston. The license was valid until 15 May 1855.On the backing card "Given to the School of Mines, October 6 1921, by John Wilson Errard Street, Ballarat."mining, gold license, gold licence, mining license, mining licence, mackenzie, johnston, fitnall, gold commissioner, eureka -
Hymettus Cottage & Garden Ballarat
Buttons, Victorian Railway Buttons
These silver Victorian Railway Buttons were made in Melbourne by Stokes & Sons and were a standard form of button for police, railways and military during the Victorian era and in the case of the Victorian Railways until the 1960s.On the rim of back of buttons: - Stokes & Sons Melbournevictorian railways, buttons, stokes & sons, melbourne, railways, military, police. -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, One Tree Hill Mine, Smiths Gully, 8 June 2006
Gold was discovered on One Tree Hill in 1854. The site has been worked intermittently until fairly recent times. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p53 Though still a working mine, One Tree Hill Mine at Smiths Gully, now stands in a tranquil reserve surrounded by bush and native animals - in contrast to its heyday. In the mid 19th century, when the mine was part of the Caledonia Goldfields, hundreds of men in search of their fortune worked the alluvial gold in the Yarra River, its tributaries and the reefs that made up the goldfields. Miner Stan Bone, assisted by Wilfred Haywood, is the last of the independent gold miners in the area and still uses the quartz crushing battery as miners did when gold was first discovered in the area in 1851.1 Stan, who is the last of six generations of miners in his family, was aged 17 when he began mining on his father Alex’ mine, The Golden Crown in Yarrambat. These days, after blasting the gold-bearing rock in Mystery Reef, one of the four reefs at One Tree Hill, Stan transports it around five kilometres by tip truck to the Black Cameron Mine for crushing. There he uses water from the waterlogged mine, (which still contains gold), as the Happy Valley Creek at One Tree Hill is usually dry.2 The One Tree Hill Mine has been worked for close to a century since it opened around the late 1850s.3 The Swedish Reef was its most productive reef and one of the largest in the area. Around 1859, extractions included 204 ounces (5.8kg) of gold, won from 57 pounds (26kg) of stone.4 Then during World War Two, Stan’s uncle, Bill Wallace, and Alex Bone, closed the mine. In 1973, Stan, with his Uncle Bill, reopened the Black Cameron Mine and worked there until 1988. Stan resumed mining One Tree Hill in 1998. As late as the 1920s gold was picked up by chance! When crossing a gully on his way to vote at the St Andrews Primary School, Bill Joyce picked up some quartz containing gold. This site was to become the Black Cameron Mine. The Caledonia Diggings, named after Scotland’s ancient name by local Scots, began around Market Square (now Smiths Gully) and included Queenstown (St Andrews), Kingstown (Panton Hill) and Diamond Creek. There were also poorer bearing fields in Kangaroo Ground and Swipers Gully (now Research). * None of these compared in riches to the Ballarat and Bendigo fields5, but the Caledonia Diggings continued intermittently for close to 100 years. Gold was discovered in Victoria following a bid to stem the disappearance of much needed workmen to the New South Wales diggings. Several businessmen offered a reward of £200, for the discovery of gold within 200 miles (322 km) of Melbourne. Late in June 1851, gold was first discovered at Andersons Creek, Warrandyte. Then in 1854, George Boston and two other men discovered gold at Smiths Gully. Gold transformed the quiet districts, with a constant flow of families and vehicles on the dirt tracks en route to the Caledonia Diggings. Three thousand people worked the gullies in Market Square, including about 1000 Chinese miners. The square established its own police, mining warden, gold battery, school, shops and cemetery and grog flowed. Market Square flourished until the middle 1860s. Bullocks transported quartz from the Caledonia Goldfields to the crushing machinery at the Queenstown/St Andrews Battery, near Smiths Gully Cemetery. It was destroyed by bushfire in 1962. By the late 1850s, most early alluvial fields were in decline, but minor rushes continued until around 1900 and some until the early 1940s. Some miners did well, although most earned little from their hard labour in the harsh and primitive conditions.6 But according to historian, Mick Woiwod, the gold fields helped to democratise society, as individuals from all walks of life were forced to share experiences, and the ability to succeed, depended less on inherited wealth or social rank.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, gold mining, one tree hill mine, smiths gully