This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. THE GOVERNOR & DR BURT / HISTORICAL EXHIBITION IN OT DAY CENTREwillsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

This photograph is part of a series taken at the Willsmere (Kew) Mental Hospital. The photographs were gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2018 by Rosemary Barnes. The photos had been in the possession of her former husband, Dr Fred Stamp, the last medical superintendent of the hospital. In 2019, the photographs were transferred to the State Archives as Permanent Government Records, as the Society is only entitled as a Class-B Place of Deposit to hold Temporary Government Records. The Society was permitted to keep and publish a digital copy of each photograph. Many of the photographs include information on the reverse about individuals or locations. Where this is the case, these have been published here as images that can be viewed in the picture carousel. Permission for third parties to reproduce this record must be granted by the Public Record Office Victoria.One of a series of photographs of the centenary celebrations at the Willsmere Mental Hospital in 1972. willsmere mental hospital, willsmere unit, kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, willsmere hospital

Black and white photograph (3 copies) Typed below one photograph: "Ringwood Shopping Centre, Whitehorse Rd. - 1924". Typed below other copies: "Ringwood's progressive shopping centre. Growing busier every day. Pratt's Junction Estate is within Three Minutes of this Street". Typed on back of one copy: "Copied from a circular by F.V. Parker 24/11/23 advertising Pratts Junction Estate. 86 lots. Oliver St. Georges Rd. & Junction St., between Mullum Creek & Whitehorse Rd. £3 deposit and 1£ per month."

Note reads, "'Merrigan", Ringwood North, 1917. This paper, enclosed in a bottle, was ..... by William and Eliza MacKinlay of Ringwood, Victoria. William MacKinlay was born at Campbellfield, Victoria on the 19th February 18?? A.D. Elizabether MacKinlay, nee White was born at Richmond, Victoria on the 28th May 1856. The house in which this is deposited was built by the above named, as a dwelling for their son William Raney MacKinlay and his wife Amy Justin, daughter of ?? Somerville. (Signed) William MacKinlay, Elizabeth MacKinley." The other small note reads, "To the finder - Look within".

Email from "Heike Dansard"

Galena Chalcopyrite is the earth's primary ore of lead and is mined from a large number of deposits in many countries. It is also an important source of silver. Galena Chalcopyrite is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals across the world. The mineral is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks in medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen was recovered from the mines in Broken Hill, New South Wales. The mines in Broken Hill were first established after Charles Rasp discovered a large amount of silver-lead-zinc ore-body in the area in 1883. BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) mining company was then established in 1885 and quickly became the lead in Australia's mining industry after they began excavating and exporting the country's largest amount of lead, silver, and zinc. This feat generated over $100 billion in wealth for the company.Galena Chalcopyrite is signifiant as it represents the catalyst for the rise of Australia's most influential mining companies - BHP. The mineral was one of the first to be mined in the country and after being made into lead, was used for a variety of things such as paint, batteries, ammunition, and plumbing materials before it was known to be harmful to humans. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A grey, solid hand-sized lead sulfide mineral with a silver metallic luster.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, galena chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite, broken hill, bhp, bhp mining, broken hill mine, mine, australia mine, lead, lead mine

Kaolin is also known as china clay. This specimen came from Dunolly, Victoria and was donated to the Museum in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. This survey helped map and study the geology of Victoria. In Victoria, Kaolin is particularly used as a filler and coating material in paper manufacture. It can also be used in paints, ceramics, rubbers and plastics. There are many kaolin deposits in Victoria but many of these have been mined out and there is not much Kaolin left. Rocks that have a high amount of Kaolinite and it can be formed through the decomposition of other materials. There are two types of Kaolin; hard and soft kaolin. Soft kaolin's are coarse but have a soapy texture. It can also break easily. The hard kaolins have an earthly texture and are finer grained. This means that they are harder to break, unlike the soft kaolin. Hard kaolin's are formed by flocculation in salt water, a process that in basic terms, bonds particles together. Kaolin is a common material in Victoria and that is why it is significant. While this specimen was mined in Dunolly, Victoria Kaolin can also be found Pittong, Pakenham, Bulla, Hallam and Ballarat as well as many other places throughout Victoria. This specimen represents the presence of Kaolin deposits in this region of Australia. It is also significant because Kaolin has many uses and is largely beneficial to many manufacturing processes in Victoria. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Two pieces of Kaolinite mineral with shades of white and graygeological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, kaolin, china clay, dunolly, geological survey of victoria, kaolinite, victoria, mining, mining deposits, geology of victoria, australia, filler, coating material, paper manufacture, paint, ceramics, rubbers, plastics, decomposition, materials, soft kaolin, hard kaolin, flocculation, particles, salt water

Panning dishes were used for washing fine gold from river sediments or from the residue trapped in cradles and puddling tubs. They were often used on the edge of streams/rivers to sift gold from alluvial soil or crushed quartz. This simple pan would have been filled with sand and gravel which might have contained gold. The pan was submerged in the water and shaken to sort the gold from the gravel and other material, with the lighter material gradually being washed over the lip until only the heavy deposits, such as gold, remained at the bottom. (ref. Museum Victoria) This pan was used by George Henry Douglas Russell Snr. As a young man prior to his enlistment in WW1 he panned for gold using this dish. During the war he became a vet sergeant in charge of horse lines.Gold panning is the oldest and simplest method of extracting gold. Gold pans had widespread use in alluvial gold fields where water is available. This item is an example of the type of pan commonly used on Victorian gold fields.A circular dull metal panning dish which has a wide rolled top lip which tapers down to a smaller diameter for the base which is flat. The pan has been made from ironmetal which has a coating of another metal with a matte grey finish. It has a small hanging hole and a reinforcing ring all around the top.russell-doug gold-panning mining

This creditors' ledger records information about Shire purchases. The purpose of the Creditors Ledger is to provide knowledge about which suppliers the Shire has paid money to. This ledger was used by the Shire of Orbost pound keeper from 1901 -1960. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994 when it became part of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Orbost was at first included in the Bairnsdale Shire from 1882 and was later part of the Tambo Shire. Because of travelling distances the Croajingalong Shire was created in 1892 (name changed to Orbost Shire 17.2.1893 with James Cameron as the first Shire President. In 1994 it amalgamated to become part of East Gippsland Shire Council. This item is a hand-written record of the accounts of the Orbost Shire local government. It pre-dates computer records. The Orbost Shire council no longer exists having been absorbed by the East Gippsland Shire council.A large book with a black patterned cover with brown binding, it contains records handwritten in ink. These are records of money paid out by the local government. There are typewritten sheets of sundry creditors added to the back section of the book.hand-written on front cover on white sticker - " Creditor's Ledger" on spine in gold on red - "Ledger" ; on black - "Shire of Orbost" accounts ledger orbost-shire-council

Stoneware or pottery canisters were widely used throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries for storing and preserving a wide range of kitchen food ingredients. Bendigo Pottery was established in 1858 and is Victoria's oldest working pottery. It was founded by George Duncan Guthrie (1828–1910) who abandoned his potter’s wheel in Scotland to join the Australian gold rush. He found a clay deposit perfectly suited for the production of ceramics, so returned to his former profession as a master potter. The population explosion created by the Australian gold rush resulted in an increased demand for all kinds of locally manufactured goods. The Bendigo Pottery became one of regional Victoria’s most important industrial enterprises. By the late 1800s the Pottery was making all kinds of household wares. One of its most popular lines was the mass produced, affordable and functional earthenware such as these canisters.These items are significant on a state and national level due to the importance of Bendigo pottery as a major Victorian manufacturer whose products were widely used in Australian homes.A group of 3 stoneware and ceramic canisters of assorted sizes. The tallest canister bears the Bendigo Pottery makers mark. The flour canister with the lid and the third canister are unmarked. Similar canister were produced by several companies in the early to mid 20th century. They were commonly used for storing flour, salt and other commodities.At bottom of largest canister "BENDIGO POTTERY" above straight linebendigo pottery, earthernware, kitchen utensils

Contract of sale of land dated 24th March 1954 between Mr. E.T. Fennell (seller) and Mr. L. Riddell (buyer) for that land situate Jackass Flat being described in right to occupy residence area right No. 0251, together with weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 525 pounds. Also attached receipt no.81247, dated 13 April, 1954 from the department of Crown Lands and Survey, also a letter to Messrs T.M. Williams , Watson, James, Solicitors, Bull Street Bendigo dated 26 March, 1954 signed by Mr.. Fennell instructing to pay from the proceeds of sale of property, Grassy Flat, the sum of 400 pounds to Messrs H.A. & S.R. Wilkinson of 182 Mitchell Street, Bendigo as deposit on purchase of Mr. A.L. Stuckenschmidt's property Raglan Street, White Hills.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Ivan Magill (1888-1986) designer, this piece was designed in 1926 along with other anaesthetic equipment.Chrome plated straight complete Magill laryngoscope in medium size format, with attached light bulb. Cylindrical handle for battery deposit and with a wavy hand grip for easy handling. Serrated and screwed lids on top and base of the handle grip for insertion of batteries and checking of electrical contact stud. The handle also has a metallic switch without any instruction of use. The arm of the handle has a detachable screw to adjust extendable blade position and firmness. The light bulb is attached to a metallic tube connector to the handle arm which is just pressed to the contact point base. The blade has a oxidation spot under the blade. The piece in full has several scratches marks mostly founded in handle, arm and top blade areas. Two stamped inscriptions are present on the arm area, the manufacturer name and register number.Stamped on the arm of the handle lateral side, A.CHARLES KING Stamped on the arm of the handle opposite lateral side, REG. NO. 74901[9]magill, a. charles king ltd, regi. no. 749019, switch, laryngoscope

The ‘Thornton Estate’ was the final subdivision of ‘Thornton’ in Studley Park Road. Thomas Cubitt Balmain originally owned Thornton, next to John Carson’s ‘Clutha’. Before its final subdivision, the Thomson family owned it. The Estate was a subdivision of 15 residential allotments running between Studley Park Road and Stevenson Street. The allotments faced these streets as well as Thornton Street, which the vendor undertook to make. Contemporary newspaper advertisements advised that ‘The estate possesses many advantages, notably its private and secluded, though convenient, position, splendid frontages and depths, and being close to the electric tram and Kew train, also within easy walking distance of the Victoria-street cable tram’. The terms offered purchasers were ten per cent deposit, with the balance to be paid in ten equal half-yearly payments at a rate of 5 per cent.subdivsion plans - kew, studley park, thornton estate

The Warrnambool permanent Building and Investment Society was established in May 1869. It relied on investors buying shares in the society, thereby providing the funds which were available to be borrowed to use in the building of houses. A considerable number of houses in Warrnambool would have been built using this scheme. The stated trustees in 1872 were Samuel Macgregor, C A Cramer, James Astley Bromfield, and the committee comprised of James Hider, W. W. Jamieson, James Coulstock, Archibald MacFarlane, Robert Newton, David Evans, NT C Stelling and W Jones. The bankers were the national Bank of Australasia. It had some difficulties in the 1870’s but was still operating well into the 1930’s where it again was not putting through the volume of business compatible with its resources and it had been found necessary to pay off a considerable number of fixed deposits and Investors’ shares. There is little mention of it after the mid 1930’s. This document provides details of an organization which operated in Warrnambool for over 60 years and proved beneficial to homebuilders and investors alike. It also has a number of well- known local names listed in their positions of operating the building society.Cream watermarked paper folded to four pages. Title on front cover with letter to shareholders printed below for the year ending 30th April 1872. Page three has balance sheet of the Warrnambool Permanent Building & investment Society. Second and fourth pages are blank. Signed in print by James Hider President, Henry T Read secretary.warrnambool permanent building and investment society, warrnambool, warrnambool 1872,

A Mechanics’ Institute hall was constructed in 1885 and opened as Orbost's first library. It was situated in Browning Street, Orbost. The hall is still in use today as a community venue. Mechanics' Institutes are the forerunners of public libraries and adult education in Australia. The origin of mechanics' institutes is attributed to Dr George Birkbeck, who in 1799 gave a series of free lectures for the working men of Glasgow. At the time, 'mechanic' meant artisan, tradesman or working man. The movement spread quickly throughout the British Empire. The first Victorian Mechanics' Institute was the Melbourne Mechanics' Institute established in 1839. From the 1850s, Mechanics' Institutes quickly spread throughout Victoria wherever a hall or library, or a school was needed. This ledger was used by the Orbost Mechanics' Institute from 1884 until 1926. The item was donated to Orbost & District Historical society from P.R.O.V. as a Place of Deposit (POD) item for safe keeping by a local history group or museum.The Mechanics' Institute was a very early feature of the Orbost community. The building became a community facility used for a variety of essential civic needs in particular a library. It also provided a suitable venue for community social requirements and functions.A heavy minute book with faded black covers and brown binding. The edges of the pages are marbled as are the end covers. Pages inside are blue with hand-written black ink records. It contains minutes from the Orbost Mechanics Institute.on spine on red leather in gold lettering: "MINUTE BOOK"minute-book orbost-mechanics'-institute

Vincent Gercovich married Winifred Rebecca Bennett (English emigrant) on 13 February 1867 in St. Alipius church in Ballarat. They had a total of 12 children. Little is known about his life, but what is known that he was well disposed to several languages and due to his ability to communicate with immigrants worked at the entry gate to the city of Ballarat. He died at the age of 61. Vincent was one of these early Croatian immigrants who came to Victoria around 1850s. His surname Gercovich (probably Gerković or Jerković) came from the island of Hvar on Dalmatian coast. On his Australian citizenship documents, the place of birth was stated as Dalmatia, Austria. From research of collected documents it can be concluded that the first Croats arrived to this country some 150 years ago mainly because of gold discovery. Victoria had a few rich deposits of gold and for obvious reasons many came to join the great ‘Gold Rush’.A black and white family photograph features Gercovich family with 12 children photographed in a studio around 1889. Children ages on the photograph range from unborn to young adults.vincent and winifred gercovich, gercovich, early croatian immigrants, immigration, croatia, dalmatia, ballarat, gold rush