John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. Commercial Hotel Bank Street Port Fairy Formerly known as The Royal Oak and then renamed The Royal Oak in the 1990's. A verandah was added in 1900. Around 1877 the hotel various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr Berncastle who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their lodge was built in James Street and all local sporting clubs at one time or another. Also a Cobb & Co staging post.Large Black and white Photograph of the Commercial Hotel Left hand top corner in Ball point pen- PRESENTED BY MR RON McLEAN Right hand top corner in pen - COMMERCIAL HOTEL Museum Number - 62.04B.012hotel, bank street, port fairy, doctor berncastle, commercial, royal oak, sydney eye infirmary, freemasons, lodge, cobb and co, livery stables

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white sketch photographed Line drawing of the Commercial hotelhotel, building, commercial, oak and anchor, inn, pub, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as follows “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel still continues serving patrons with beverages and meals but no beds these days. There is also an addition to the building, as seen in the bottom illustration— a bottle shopBlack and white photograph of 8 males formally posed outside entrance to Commercial hotelhotel, building, kemp family, bank street, royal oak, commercial, oak and anchor, d.smith

John J. Huntly appears to have been the only licensee of the Royal Oak Hotel, built in 1858. He was a Councillor of the Municipality of Belfast at the time and later became the Secretary of the newly formed Minhamite Shire in 1872. By 1861 D. Smith appears as the licensee of the now named Commercial Hotel. In 1877 it was offered for sale—the building described as “Built of bluestone with slate roof, having a frontage to Bank street of 106 feet, 6 inches. Accommodation consists of twelve bedrooms, eight sitting rooms, bathroom, bar and cellar and detached kitchen also of bluestones, with outside offices. Around this time beside its usual business the hotel had various rooms for visiting doctors and a dentist. Dr. Berncastle, who was associated with the Sydney Eye Infirmary, performed several operations there on those suffering from cataracts. It was the meeting place for the Port Fairy Freemasons, before their Lodge was built in James street, and all the local sporting clubs, at one time or another. The sign on the hotel states "Fitzgerald's Commercial Hotel" more research is being undertaken as to this owner or lessee. The veranda was added in 1900. The name Royal Oak was restored this century, but the name Commercial Hotel can still be seen in the leadlight window over the front entrance. The hotel has now been transformed into apartments and a restaurant called the Oak and Anchor Image of the hotel at an earlier timeBlack and white photograph of Two story bluestone painted commercial hotel with large verandah car at kerbhotel, building, bank street, john j huntly, d smith, royal oak, commercial, fitzgerald, kemp, oak and anchor

Druids are known to exist from around the 3rd century B.C. Their name may have come from a Celtic word meaning “knower of the oak tree.” Many of their ceremonies were carried out in oak groves, which they considered sacred and members were, at that time a mix of priest, judge, doctor and philosopher. The Druids enjoyed a revival in the 19th century and were taken up enthusiastically during the Victorian era. Druidry was believed to have been introduced into Australia in 1851 with the setting up of the first lodge in Melbourne under the name United Ancient Order of Druids. Unlike the Freemasons, the Druids were not a secret society and were not selective in who they let in, as long as they paid their dues and acted more like a benevolent society than a spiritual movement. "They originally operated when there were few benefits available from the government or employers and the introduction of sick leave and other employer provided benefits, combined with the gradual introduction of government subsidised medicine, caused the need for them to diminish." Druids House — in Swanston Street, was opened by the Lord Mayor in 1927 and was designed to be the movement's national head office. It was completed at a cost of 19,000 pounds. This photograph was believed to have been commissioned by the Druids of Bendigo to the Licensees of the Queens Head pub where they regularly met, situated on the corner of the Bendigo-Maryborough Rd & the Calder Alternate Hwy ( Lockwood Cross Roads). The old Marong Council offices were situated opposite from 1864 until around 1908 when new offices were then built in Marong. It is believed that this photograph and a photo of the pub were given to Marong Shire by descendants of the publicans, probably in the 90’s. Framed black and white group photographic portrait of 37 members of the Sandhurst Chapter of the Druids staged and shot outdoors. Each of the gentlemen is carrying a bouquet of flowers. The photograph has a gold inner mount with the second mount cut to give the impression of a frame. The outer mount is hand painted with botanical motifs and elaborate text c.t. DRUIDS Sandhurst Lodge/ No 247. l.c Presented to Mr and Mrs Chadwick / Lockwood / in recognition for kindness rendered.W. G. Robinson / Photo and J.H. Gribble / Long Gully / 1,11,10robinson photographer, j.h.b. gribble artist, chadwick, shire of marong, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of greater bendigo community groups

Murray Comrie Collection. Information from Murray Comrie: This building still stands at the south end of Commercial Road, Tarnagulla. Originally used as the Masonic Lodge Temple of Tarnagulla United Lodge, No. 1318 (E.C.), opened and consecrated 21.1.1869 by Wor. Bro. Wardlow. Br. Stamp was installed as Master. The other part of the building housed the Masonic Hall Hotel, with F.H. Goldsboro as licensee. In later years, this building was known as Bool's (after the Bool family).Monochrome photograph depicting the facade of a building with window canopies and an arched doorway. tarnagulla, buildings, masons, freemasons, freemasonry, lodge, commercial road, bool, stamp, wardlow, goldsboro, hotels

Henry Beardmore was a significant contributor to Wodonga and the state of Victoria. He was born in Melton on 7th February 1863 to Edwin James Beardmore and Flora McDonald. He grew up in Benalla and became a butcher at Glenrowan before taking up land at Leneva near Wodonga, Victoria. On 15 July 1885 Henry married his first wife, Agnes Annie Lee and they had two sons and two daughters. Agnes died in 1892. In 23 August 1893, Henry married Jessie Muirhead and they had six sons and four daughters. Henry represented the Green Hills riding on Wodonga Shire Council from 1898 to 1922, including terms as President from 1900-01, 1903-4, 1908-10, 1911-12, 1914-17. In 1922 Mr. Beardmore retired from the Wodonga Council due to his increased workload in State politics. Henry Beardmore was a Freemason including Master of the Wodonga Lodge from 1906 to 1907, and was an active member up until his death. From 1905-1915, Henry Beardmore leased “De Kerilleau” homestead with the exception of 1907, when Mr W. Huon was in residence, and after he died there in 1907, the Beardmore family returned. Henry Beardmore won the seat of Benambra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly at a by-election on 20th April 1917. He continuously represented the Benambra electorate as a Nationalist and United Australia Party member for more than 15 years. He was a strong advocate for country development and decentralisation, but he declined to join the Country Party. He held the seat of Benambra, up to the date of his death, and was returned unopposed on four occasions. He was an Honorary Minister in 1924 and for a short time in 1929, Minister of Railways, Minister in-charge of Electrical Undertakings and Minister of Labour. He was a leading supporter of Kiewa Hydro-Electric Project and opponent of Yallourn coalfield. Henry Beardmore died in Wodonga on 29 August 1932. His last residence was on the corner Elm Street and Beechworth Road.This photo is significant because it depicts an important local and State politician and member of the Wodonga Community.A black and white formal portrait of Henry Beardmore.henry beardmore, wodonga council, benambra - victorian politics

Four Lever Arch folders relating to the Anglo-Irish lawyer Henry Cuthbert. .1) Henry Cuthbert politics and Victorian Legislative Council (includes information on 'representative Government in Victoria 1851-1993 by Ian McLaren; Charles Gavan Duffy in Australia by J.E. Parnaby; image of Henry Cuthbert from the Australasian Sketcher -Also John Gavan Duffy John Madden, Duncan Gillies, J.G. Francis, R.S. Anderson, James Service, Robert Clark, Thomas Bent, Robert Ramsay. George B. Kerford) .2) Henry Cuthbert Memberships and Affiliations, Freemasons, UFS Dispensary, Yarrowee Lodge NO 10, Ballarat Base Hospital, Ballarat Central Bowling Club, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Ballarat Mecahnics' Institute, Ballarat School of Mines, Ballarat Observatory, Ballarat Benevolent Asylum, Ballarat Gas Company, Ballarat Orphanage .3) Henry Cuthbert - Ireland .4) Henry Cuthbert family information and biographies and photographslawyers, legal, dianne campbell goldfields lawyers collection, ireland, irish, anglo-irish, henry cuthbert, solicitor-general, william collard smith, duncan gillies, victorian legislative council, federal convention, melbourne club, the rest is history, the rest is history by dorothy wickham, ballarat orphanage, ballarat orphan asylum, ballarat gas company, annie cuthbert, john headon cuthbert, john bryan cuthbert, emma cuthbert, anna cuthbert, john cuthbert, tom cuthbert, robert cuthbert, family history, genealogy

History of Teh Euroka Lodge in StwellClear Plastic Cover, Black card rear cover with black spring spiral binder. White Paper inner cover with freemasons logo over a brick buildingEuroka (The Rising Sun) An Historical account of the beginning of the lodge of Euroka and freemasons in Stawell The Result of research by the Author Allan Robert COward P.J.G.W.stawell

Each coloured degree related to a particular value of the Manchester United Oddfellows. Purple certificate was related to charity. The Bendigo chapter of the Manchester United Oddfellows began in 1854.Blu folder. On one side the coloured logo of the Independet Order of Oddfellows in Victoria, Bendigo District, Manchester Unity Friendly Society. On the other the inscription: Purple Degree Certificate - We hereby certifythat brother R. G. Evans a member of the loyal Albert lodge, presented to us a certificate from his lodge entatling him to receive the Purple Dergee, which was duly conferred upon him at a Past Grand's Lodge, held at the M. U. Hall, Bendigo on the 20th day of January 1940. In witness whereof we have affixed our names and the Seal of our district this 25th day of January 1941. Signed bt the District Grand Master: L. Spencely. Dist. Dep. Grand Master and Secretary. Memebr signature: R. G. Evans.societies, freemasons