Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph at Vung Tau, 14/08/1970, Vietnamese refugees from Cambodia being unloaded from a landing craft. There are 3500 refugees, said to be the last from Cambodiaphotograph, cambodia, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, vietnamese refugees, denis gibbons

This butter pat profiler may have been manufactured post 1967 (year post codes appeared in Australia) however the post code was only stamped on after it was machined. This type of butter mould was used by rural families to fashion home/farm made butter. This period was in most rural regions a time of self sufficiency where any domestic type implement which could be fashioned by the family would be crafted with skill. Shopping for goods required catalogues from stores located in major rural towns and cities and involved lengthy waiting times. Travelling to and from these specialised stores was not pleasant due to the relatively poor quality of the roads and the lengthy times taken. The small general stores in the Kiewa Valley could not cater for all the needs of the valley. The 1960's was a time when facilities especially goods and services started to improve drastically. The S.E.C. of Victoria with its Kiewa Hydro Electricity Scheme provided not only an improvement of facilities in the valley but also a increase in the population. This increase resulted in a greater demand for local produce.This item is one of many domestic food processing implements used by Kiewa Valley households in the mid 1900s, whether on the farm or in the small towns and hamlets. Self sufficiency was the key to survival during these early times. Where ever possible supplies from within the valley were preferred to that brought in by travelling salesmen or traders. This butter mould and butter pat was commonly used to fashion "home" made butter throughout the valley and in some cases supplied to "outside" regional towns. Although this method of production was phased out by better access to goods from nearby cities the revival of the good organic home grown produce in the 1980s saw a greater demand of this type of farm based produce.This butter pat is one of two,see KVHS 0071 (B). It has been crafted from wood. One side has grooves running from the handle to the square shaped bottom. These grooves would stop the wet butter from clinging to the pat. The top side of the pat has been bevelled on both sides and the bottom edge. The hand grip is flat and curved to allow for a comfortable hold.domestic food preparation, wooden butter pat, butter mould circular, dairy industry, butter

The Tawonga branch of the C.W.A. commenced on the 7th Feb. 1946 and often combined activities with the other branches in the Kiewa Valley. The C.W.A. aimed to improve health, welfare and education for women and children in the country. The members achieved these aims by being involved in handcrafts of all kinds.Women living in Tawonga were mostly on farms and, in 1946, when the branch commenced would have been feeling more remote with WW11 having an effect on available workers and the well being of the women and children.The book has a cover with Autumn colours of flowers in a vase with the title in block letters of pale yellow. It has 47 pages bound by 2 staples. The crafts involve the use of plants in creating decorations.tawonga. country woman's association of australia. crafts. plant crafts.c.w.a.

Canoeing on the River Yarra at Melbourne was an important and widespread recreational pursuit for Melbournians, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. The Victorian Canoe Club was formed in 1912 at a meeting in Melbourne and its first committee elected in the same year. Records indicate that the Club continued into at least the 1950s .The photos in this album are historically and socially significant as a record of recreational activities in the first half of the twentieth century. A number of photographs in the album provide views of sections of the Yarra, as well as areas in regional Victoria, that may otherwise be unavailable.One of 12 sepia [faded] photographs of members of the Victorian Canoe Club. This photo is a distance shot of the HMAS Cerberus, which was sunk at Black Rock, Melbourne in 1926 to act as a breakwater for small craft."Old Cerberus"victorian canoe club, travel -- 1930s, canoeing, hmas cerberus

This Flying Angel lamp bracket was recovered from the wreck site of the steam sailing ship, "Loch Ard", which sank near Port Campbell, Victoria in 1878. It formed part of the ship's cargo. The 'flying angel' lamp was, for a time, displayed in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at Flagstaff Hill. The design was very appropriate to the Missions to Seamen, being associated with the emblem of the 'flying angel' on the Missions' to Seamen's flag. Brief history of the Loch Ard: The vessel Loch Ard was constructed on the Clyde River in Scotland in 1873 for the prestigious Loch Line of colonial clipper ships, designed for the Australian run. She sailed from England on 1 March 1878 carrying 37 crew, 17 passengers and a diverse general cargo ranging from luxury items to bulk railway iron. On 1 June 1878, emerging from fog and hearing too late the sound of breakers against the tall limestone cliffs, the vessel struck the southern foot of Mutton Bird Island and sank in 23 metres of water. Of the fifty-four people on board only two survived, one young male crewman, Tom Pearce, and one young female passenger, Eva Carmichael. A century later, despite the pounding seas and the efforts of looters, the wreck site continued to provide ample evidence of the extraordinary range of goods being imported into the Colony of Victoria in the post-Gold Rush era. Flagstaff Hill divers in the 1970s reported finds of “Bottles of champagne, window panes, rolls of zinc, barrels of cement, iron rails, clocks, lead shot, corrugated iron, lead, marble, salad oil bottles, ink bottles, copper wire, gin bottles, rolls of carpet, floor tiles, copper rivets, gas light fittings, pocket knives, toys, crystal chandeliers, beer mugs, cutlery, candles sticks, wick scissors, cow bells, and sauce bottles.” The lamp bracket is significant for its connection with the wreck of the sailing ship, Loch Ard, in 1878. 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. Gas lamp, brass, single burner, wall-mounting bracket, delicately crafted. Ornate decoration features bust of an angel with up-swept wings, or 'flying angel'. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Noneflagstaff 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, lamp fitting, shipwreck artifact, 1878, shipwreck cargo, household effects, 19th century lighting, angel lamp, loch ard lamp, angelic lamp, lighting at sea, marine technology, ship's lighting, flying angel, gas lamp, maritime archaeology, port campbell

Diorama of a landingcraft ashore a skycrane hovers above,Landing craft AV 1356 is taking on a centerion tank- APC on shore Red Kangaroo on starboard side, Personnel - in uniform are all placed in working positions.A.V. 1356model, diorama, centurion tank, apc

Prior to the advent of the ferry service Ithacans who wished to travel to the mainland sailed by ship. The 'Angelika', photographed in Ithaca's port harbour of Vathi, transported most of the post WWII Ithacan migrants to the main Greek port of Piraeus to embark for their journey to Australia. Migration from Ithaca to Australia ceased during the second world war years. A second wave commenced in the post war years, particular following the 1953 earthquakes which caused catastrophic damage to the island. Today travel between Ithaca and the mainland is by ferry boats. Ships and ferry boats no longer enter the harbour at Vathi, but rather dock at Piso Aetos. A black and white photograph with a thin white border of a ship steaming out of a harbour with smaller craft in the water. People are standing on the wharf watching the boat depart; behind them are buildings and mountains across the skyline.

Article, Clipping of HMAS Sydney converted troop carrier leaving Outer Harbour for Vietnam featuring small craft running alongside the aircraft carrier. 500 troops lining the side of the ship as it left for Vietnam.The Sunday Mail South Australian newspaper photograph taken from a charter plane.article, clippings, hmas sydney

The light line or rope used to construct this Turk’s Head knot was part of the line line-throwing apparatus used by the Rocket Rescue Crew. In normal operation a rocket carrying the line was fired over a ship, fastened to the ship, then hauled by the crew to pull a heavier rope from shore, which would have a canvas ‘breaches buoy’ attached to it. A tripod or triangle would be used to keep it free from breakers and rocks. One by one the crew on the wreck would sit in the buoy and be hauled safely back to shore. The three-masted iron barque Fiji had been built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1875 by Harland and Wolfe for a Liverpool based shipping company. The ship departed Hamburg on 22nd May 1891 bound for Melbourne, under the command of Captain William Vickers with a crew of 25. The ship’s manifest shows that she was loaded with a cargo of 260 cases of dynamite, pig iron, steel goods, spirits (whisky, schnapps, gin, brandy), sailcloth, tobacco, coiled fencing wire, concrete, 400 German pianos (Sweet Hapsburg), concertinas and other musical instruments, artists supplies including brushes, porcelain, furniture, china, and general cargo including candles. There were also toys in anticipation for Christmas, including wooden rocking horses, miniature ships, dolls with china limbs and rubber balls. On September 5th, one hundred days out from Hamburg in squally and boisterous south west winds the Cape Otway light was sighted on a bearing differing from Captain Vickers’ calculation of his position. At about 2:30am, Sunday 6th September 1891 land was reported 4-5 miles off the port bow. The captain tried to put the ship on the other tack, but she would not respond. He then tried to turn her the other way but just as the manoeuvre was being completed the Fiji struck rock only 300 yards (274 metres) from shore. The place is known as Wreck Bay, Moonlight Head. Blue lights were burned and rockets fired whilst an effort was made to lower boats but all capsized or swamped and smashed to pieces. Two of the younger crewmen volunteered to swim for the shore, taking a line. One, a Russian named Daniel Carkland, drowned after he was swept away when the line broke. The other, 17 year old able seaman Julius Gebauhr, a German, reached shore safely on his second attempt but without the line, which he had cut lose with his sheath-knife when it become tangled in kelp. He rested on the beach a while then climbed the steep cliffs in search of help. At about 10am on the Sunday morning a party of land selectors - including F. J. Stansmore, Leslie Dickson (or Dixon) and Mott - found Gebauhr. They were near Ryans Den, on their travels on horseback from Princetown towards Moonlight Head, and about 5km from the wreck. Gebauhr was lying in the scrub in a poor state, bleeding and dressed only in singlet, socks and a belt with his sheath-knife, ready for all emergencies. At first they were concerned about his wild and shaggy looking state and what seemed to be gibberish speech, taking him to be an escaped lunatic. They were reassured after he threw his knife away and realised that he was speaking half-English, half-German. They gave him food and brandy and some clothing and were then able to gain information about the wreck. Some of the men took him to Rivernook, a nearby guest house owned by John Evans, where he was cared for. Stansmore and Dickson rode off to try and summon help. Others went down to the site of the wreck. Messages for rescuing the rest of the crew were sent both to Port Campbell for the rocket rescue crew and to Warrnambool for the lifeboat. The S.S. Casino sailed from Portland towards the scene. After travelling the 25 miles to the scene, half of the Port Campbell rocket crew and equipment arrived and set up the rocket tripod on the beach below the cliffs. By this time the crew of the Fiji had been clinging to the jib-boom for almost 15 hours, calling frantically for help. Mr Tregear from the Rocket Crew fired the line. The light line broke and the rocket was carried away. A second line was successfully fired across the ship and made fast. The anxious sailors then attempted to come ashore along the line but, with as many as five at a time, the line sagged considerably and some were washed off. Others, nearly exhausted, had to then make their way through masses of seaweed and were often smothered by waves. Only 14 of the 24 who had remained on the ship made it to shore. Many onlookers on the beach took it in turns to go into the surf and drag half-drowned seamen to safety. These rescuers included Bill (William James) Robe, Edwin Vinge, Hugh Cameron, Fenelon Mott, Arthur Wilkinson and Peter Carmody. (Peter Carmody was also involved in the rescue of men from the Newfield.) Arthur Wilkinson, a 29 year old land selector, swam out to the aid of one of the ship’s crewmen, a carpenter named John Plunken. Plunken was attempting to swim from the Fiji to the shore. Two or three times both men almost reached the shore but were washed back to the wreck. A line was thrown to them and they were both hauled aboard. It was thought that Wilkinson struck his head on the anchor before s they were brought up. He remained unconscious. The carpenter survived this ordeal but Wilkinson later died and his body was washed up the next day. It was 26 year old Bill Robe who hauled out the last man, the captain, who had become tangled in the kelp. The wreck of the Fiji was smashed apart within 20 minutes of the last man being brought ashore, and it settled in about 6m of water. Of the 26 men on the Fiji, 11 in total lost their lives. The remains of 7 bodies were washed onto the beach and their coffins were made from timbers from the wrecked Fiji. They were buried on the cliff top above the wreck. The survivors were warmed by fires on the beach then taken to Rivernook and cared for over the next few days. Funds were raised by local communities soon after the wreck in aid of the sufferers of the Fiji disaster. Captain Vickers was severely reprimanded for his mishandling of the ship. His Masters Certificate was suspended for 12 months. At the time there was also a great deal of public criticism at the slow and disorganised rescue attempt to save those on board. The important canvas ‘breech buoy’ or ‘bucket chair’ and the heavy line from the Rocket Rescue was in the half of the rocket outfit that didn’t make it in time for the rescue: they had been delayed at the Gellibrand River ferry. Communications to Warrnambool were down so the call for help didn’t get through on time and the two or three boats that had been notified of the wreck failed to reach it in time. Much looting occurred of the cargo that washed up on the shore, with nearly every visitor leaving the beach with bulky pockets. One looter was caught with a small load of red and white rubber balls, which were duly confiscated and he was ‘detained’ for 14 days. Essence of peppermint mysteriously turned up in many settlers homes. Sailcloth was salvaged and used for horse rugs and tent flies. Soon after the wreck “Fiji tobacco” was being advertised around Victoria. A Customs officer, trying to prevent some of the looting, was assaulted by looters and thrown over a steep cliff. He managed to cling to a bush lower down until rescued. In 1894 some coiled fencing wire was salvaged from the wreck. Hundreds of coils are still strewn over the site of the wreck, encrusted and solidified. The hull is broken but the vessel’s iron ribs can be seen along with some of the cargo of concrete and pig iron. Captain Vickers presented Bill Robe with his silver-cased pocket watch, the only possession that he still had, as a token for having saved his life and the lives of some of the crew. (The pocket watch came with 2 winding keys, one to wind it and one to change the hands.) Years later Bill passed the watch to his brother-in-law Gib (Gilbert) Hulands as payment of a debt and it has been passed down the family to Gilbert Hulands’ grandson, John Hulands. Seaman Julius Gebauhr later gave his knife, in its hand crafted leather sheath, to F. J. Stansmore for caring for him when he came ashore. The knife handle had a personal inscription on it. A marble headstone on the 200m high cliffs overlooking Wreck Beach, west of Moonlight Head, paying tribute to the men who lost their lives when Fiji ran aground. The scene of the wreck is marked by the anchor from the Fiji, erected by Warrnambool skin divers in 1967.This rope is part of the collection of artefacts from the wreck of the Fiji. Flagstaff Hill’s Fiji collection is of historical significance at a State level because of its association with the wreck Fiji, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register VHR S259. The Fiji is archaeologically significant as the wreck of a typical 19th century international sailing ship with cargo. It is educationally and recreationally significant as one of Victoria's most spectacular historic shipwreck dive sites with structural features and remains of the cargo evident. It also represents 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 Fiji collection meets the following criteria for assessment: Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history. Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history. Rope salvaged from the distress rocket rope line used in the rescue of the crew of the sailing ship “Fiji”. The light-weight brown rope has been crafted into a decorative 'Monkey fist' or 'Turk’s head' knot using three interwoven strands. 1891, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwrecked artefact, flagstaff hill maritime village, shipwreck coast, warrnambool, rope, moonlight head, wreck bay, distress rocket, line, light line, rocket rescue apparatus, rocket equipment, rocket line

Both the spoon (1) and fork(2) are beautifully crafted in silver. They are meant as decorative items rather than for practical use. The handles of both items finish with shapes of a lion rampant holding a staff with fleur-de-lys. Both itmes have been much polished and the markings are illegible.

Original photogaphs have been removed from frame and are catalogued at 1311, 1312. The frame has long been considered to be the work of Vera Mayhew, a well-known exponent of chip carving. The original photographs are catalogued elsewhere as: 01311: An early copy sepia photographic print pasted to cardboard of four men in military uniform, three wearing caps, one bare-headed. They are, standing, Pte Weir, Pte Tweedie, seated Pte Beecher, Pte Cochrane. They known to have been members of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, but the uniform is unusual for that group. They are wearing different leggings, and their belts cross their right shoulder, not the left. They wear a piece of cloth with diagonal stripes across it pinned above their left pocket. In all, it suggests a photograph taken, possibly in South Africa, in their battle dress, and possibly after a team game. William Hamilton Weir was invalided back to Aust, arr. 5 June 1901; James Tweedie 287 Pvt Stratford, prom. to Corporal 20 March 1901, listed in fallen for World War 1; Private J.A. Beecher also had brothers who served (see P00179B). Pte William James Cochrane 309, prom to Lance Corp 10 April 1900, Corp 16 Nov 1900, apparently ret. to Aust, appt. commander No 1 Troop Wangaratta, ret to South Africa in 5th Contingent as Lieutenant, became a member of 6th Batt. Aust Commonwealth Horse, ret. to Aust. 7 Aug 1902. 01312: A first generation sepia photographic print of four men in Boer War Uniform. They are, standing, Pte H. Beecher, Pte A. Beecher, Pte Josh Jones, seated Sgt Pruden. They are all wearing standard Light Horse uniform, with slouch hats. Shoeingsmith Henry Ward Beecher 556 was invalided back to Aust., arr. 9 May 1901; Trooper George Andre Beecher 557; Josh Jones is possibly John Joseph Jones 434 of Stratford. Sgt Pruden was killed in action. These photographs originally hung in the Stratford Mechanics' Institute.A chip-carved wooden frame with reproduction photographs of Stratford men in uniform similar to Boer War uniform.boer war 1899-1902, craft, handcraft

Located in opportunity shop in Melbourne, where it was purchased for $2. The donor has considerable knowledge of chicken scratch embroidery (surface weaving on cross-stitch on gingham to emphasise colours). She considers this the best example of the art she has seen, with several very rare stitch combinations. It has been posted to experts overseas and in Australia for examination.Half apron in red and white gingham with chicken scratch embroidery and white rick-rack braid. Backed with white lawn.embroidery, handcraft, craft

Archibald James Bower enlisted in World War I in November 1915, and was killed in action in France in August 1916. Before he left Australia, he drew designs on linen for his mother, Harriet Bower nee Harper, to embroider a quilt - mainly flowers, butterflies and moths. Mrs Bower finished the quilt, which was then used for many years by her grandson, Archibald William Luxford. He went to sleep every night, knowing the designs were drawn by the uncle he had never known, after whom he had been named.This quilt has historic significance as a memorial to a soldier lost in World War I. It is important as a tangible reminder of loss in war, and an example of how memorials to those lost in war take many forms. It has aestetic significance as an example of needlework that is original in design, with an impressive range of different stitches used to execute the design. It has spiritual significance to the Luxford family and the Munro community (even though Archie Bower was from Sale and the quilt moved later to Munro), as the quilt that Arch Luxford, a prominent member of the community, often spoke about as one his most important possessions. He was born after the death of his uncle, and named in memory of him. He grew up sleeping under the quilt, and knowing the story of his loss in World War I.A bedspread made principally of three sections of white linen sewn together with panels of crochet, with a deep linen edging and crochet edging. There are moths, butterflies and flowers embroidered on all sections in white cotton, as a form of candlewicking.world war 1914-1918, craft, needlework

Crochet round collarcrochet, craft, bole

A white crochet doily from 1959crochet, craft, bole

Blue, counted cross stitch on white linencross stitch, craft, bole

Blue embroidery and netting on pink linenembroidery, bole, craft

Engraved Plaque - "Presented to The RSL Memorabilia Room by Rachael Barr"craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

With Compliments of the Council of the Shire of Ballaratcraft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to Ernest Joseph LEWIS. He was born on 20/05/1911 in Carlton, VIC. Ernest Joseph served in the Army (VX73578) enlisting on, 27/01/1942 in West Brunswick, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 15 FLD REGIMENT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 03/10/1945. Ernest Joseph LEWIS was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Ethel LEWIS.craft, ballarat rsl, ballarat