Wilhelm and Marie Wischer were the founding couple of the successful Wischer phosphate and chemical works at Yarraville, Melbourne. They had emigrated from Magdeburg in Germany in the late 19th century and had undertaken the journey to Australia over three months. During this voyage, several passengers had died and a number of babies had been born. The travellers had endured storms, injuries, broken equipment, and numerous other privations. The couple had lived in the suburb of Hawthorn and their family history is documented in a book by John Wischer. The link is in references this document from "Kainos Books" and makes for fascinating reading as it reveals an account of life in Melbourne during the late 19th and early 20th century. The book also gives an account of the Wischer phosphate mining activities on Ocean Island in 1904, Wischer & Co. eventually merged with Mt. Lyell Chemical works.An item giving a snapshot of early industrial life in Melbourne during the late 19th century with also an interesting story of early migration to Australia. The item also makes us aware of the privations early migrants had in trying to establish a life in a new country and how the Wischer family overcame these challenges to establish a very successful business.Jug, clay large with handle glazed screw on stopper. Sulphur Acid Wischer Chemical Company Yarraville printed on side, also a number 5 on the screw lidflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Lifebuoy is from the ketch Reginald M, built in Port Adelaide by John Murch in 1922. Lifebuoys were part of the emergency lifesaving equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century. The ring was made of strips of cork wood joined together to make the ring shape then covered in canvas and sealed usually with white paint. Four evenly spaced canvas reinforcing bands would be added for strength and for a place to thread a rope or line. A lifebuoy, or life-preserver, is used as a buoyancy device often thrown to an endangered or distressed person in the water to keep them afloat while they receive help. It is usually connected by a rope to a person in a safe area such a nearby vessel or on shore. Lifebuoys is a made from a buoyant materials such as cork or foam and ae usually covered with canvas for protection and to make it easy to grip. The first use of life saving devices in recent centuries was by the Nordic people, who used light weight wood or cork blocks to keep afloat. Cork lifebuoys were used from the late 19th to early 20th century. Kapok fibre was then used as a filling for buoys but wasn’t entirely successful. Light weight balsa wood was used as a filler after WW1. In 1928 Peter Markus invented and patented the first inflatable life-preserver. By WW2 foam was combined with Kapok. Laws were passed over time that has required aeroplanes and water going-vessels to carry life-preservers on board. The Reginald M 1922- The two-masted coastal trading ketch Reginald M was built by John (Jack) Murch in Port Adelaide, South Australia, in 1922 and it was launched there in Largs Bay in the same year. It is thought that the keel was hewn from two telegraph poles - its owner was a regular visitor to salvage yards. Its cargo at times included Guano, Barley, Wool, Horses, Cattle, Timber, Explosives, Potatoes, Shell Grit and Gypsum. At one time the vessel was used as a customs boat, renamed 'HMC No. 3, Pt Adelaide'. In 1969 she was used by a mining and railway company as a barge to carry explosives. In 1972 the vessel was renamed 'T.S. Macquarie' and planned to be used for sea cadet training.; this did not eventuate. It was sold again and went to Melbourne to be used for pleasure sailing, and again sold for use as a ferry. Late in 1975 Flagstaff Hill purchased the vessel to be used as an exhibit at the Maritime Village where many visitors enjoyed being able to board and explore a real ship with a long history. Sadly, in late 2016, the decision was made to 'decommission' the vessel due to the continuing high cost of maintenance and the risk to public safety. Many of the components of the vessel are held as part of Flagstaff Hill's collection.The lifebuoy is an example of equipment carried on vessels in the late 19th and early 20th century to help preserve life. There were many lives lost in Australia’s colonial period, particularly along the coast of South West Victoria. The lifebuoy is significant for its connection with the Australian built, 1922 coastal trader, Reginald M. Lifebuoy, round , cork, filled, white canvas cover with four red tabs. Text is printed in black on quarters 1 and 3. This lifebuoy once belonged to the vessel 'Reginald M' , Pt Adelaide. "REGINALD M / Pt ADELAIDE".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifebuoy, lifesaving, ship equipment, reginald m, life rings, safety ring, life-saving buoy, ring buoy, life preserver, personal floating device, floatation device, safety equipment, coastal trader, john murch, reg webb

Photograph of the article in the local Ballarat newspaper, The Star. The original motion was for the establishment of a school to impart instruction in mining and mining engineering, and was based on the proceedings of a meeting of the Ballarat Mining Board on Wednesday 06 October 1869.ballarat school of mines, ballarat mining board, james bickett, downes, lamb, nettell, elmslie, eddy, establishment, ballarat school of mines establishment, ballarat school of mines history

Blue soft covered report with 40 plates and plans. Inciudes Geology of Ballarat. Little Bendigo Goldfield, Ballarat West Goldfield, Ballarat East Goldfield, history, nuggets, indicators, faults, microscopic structure of Ballarat Rocks and ores, general type of the Ballarat East Mines and the genesis of their ores. Mines include New Zealand Trust, Llanberris No. 1, Llanberris No 2, Victoria United, Britannia United, New Britannia, Last Chance, Exchange, Normanby North, New Normanby, North Woah Hawp. Photpgraphic plates include: Victoria United Mine, Llanberres No. 1, Normanby North, North Woah Hawp Mine, View looking south from the Britannia Mullock Heap, View from Sovereign Hill, The place in Learmonth Street Golden Point where gold was first discovered at Ballarat. j.w. gregory, ballarat east, ballarat east goldfield, e.j. dunn, geolological survey of victoria, new zealand trust, llanberris no. 1, llanberris no 2, victoria united, britannia united, new britannia, last chance, exchange, normanby north, new normanby, north woah hawp, mining, indicators, gold mining, poppet head

Copies of all images from the 1887 version of Withers' 'History of Ballarat'. The images include copies of the Eureka Stockade reward posters. mail coach, eureka graves, ballaarat old cemetery, mining registrar's office, reward posters, lake wendouree, bakery hill, madame berry gold mining company, ballarat from bath's hotel, quartz crushing, black hill, horse puddler, pennyweight flat, aborigines, creswick, withers, william b. withers, history of ballarat

Typed copy of what appears to be a speech. Mentioned is that after 1910 the Commonwealth took over the minting it's own money. Gold mining was chosen for the one pound note and a Bendigo scene was chosen. The scene chosen shows boring operations in the Victoria Quartz Mine. The picture was taken by Vincent Kelly of the five figures but for engraving only three were shown. They were Mr W Healy, Mr J Smith and Mr James Beverage. James Beverage was a member of Bendigo's first fire brigade. He went to Beechworth for a demonstration and on the way home stopped at Christie's Hotel in Swanston Street. There was a fire at the hotel and Mr Beverage rescued Mrs Christie, her baby and a servant. At a later date Mr Beverage saved a woman from a burning building in Moore Street in Bendigo. He received the Royal Humane Society's Medal which is now housed at the Bendigo Fire Station in Hargreaves Street. In the City's formative years the area that deposited its rain water into the Long Gully Creek was considered to be in Long Gully and for many years the Victoria Quartz Mine deposited many thousands of gallons of water into the Long Gully Creek. Mr Steve Gibbons unveiled the plaque.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - banknotes and james beverage, victoria quartz mine, vincent kelly, shepard's bush, mr rickards, mr abraham, mr w healy, mr j smith, mr james beverage, south iron bark mine, rae's hill, sandhurst no 1 fire brigade, christie's hotel, mrs christie, royal humane society's medal, bendigo fire station, long gully history group, mr steve gibbons, department of environment water heritage, arts commnmoration of historic events and famous persons

Copy of an Advertiser Article titled Colonial Bendigo on display. The article mentions an exhibition organised by the Bendigo Art Gallery to celebrate Victoria's 150th anniversary. Mentioned are the artists George Rowe and S T Gill. The photographers Alex Fox and Nicholas Caire. Thomas Ham introduced engraving in a commercial capacity. Edwin Stocqueler and Ludwig Becker are also mentioned. Written above the article is: Mining on Victoria Hill, also known as Ironbark Hill. Dec 1 - 1984. On the back glass plates are mentioned. Also S T Gills water colours, lithographs and engravings. There is a photograph by Nicholas Caire, taken in 1875, showing the excavation of quartz reef and mine buildings, popper legs and chimneys near Ironbark Hill.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - colonial bendigo on display, bendigo art gallery, george rowe, s t gill, alex fox, nicholas caire, thomas ham, edwin stocquelerthe advertiser, ludwig becker, burke and wills, victoria hill, ironbark hill

Conditions of sale by private contract dated 21st July, 1933 between L.G. Thirlwell (seller) and M.B. Simmons (buyer) for land having a frontage of about 109 feet to Hargreaves Street, Bendigo by a depth of 166 feet being the land described in residence area certificate no. 33019 in the books of the Mining Registrar at Bendigo, together with 6-roomed weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 235 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Conditions of sale by private contract dated 28th January, 1934 between Mrs S.B. Larsen (seller) and A.E. Stevenson for land situate No.43 Breen Street, Bendigo being the land described in residence area certificate No. 32484 in the books of the mining registrar at Bendigo, together with 4-roomed weatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Also one ''Liverpool'' gas stove as inspected. Price 400 pounds. Attached a letter dated 23rd March, 1934 from the Bendigo Mutual Permanent Land and Building Society addressed to H.A. Wilkinson re: account Mrs. S. Larsen, acknowledging receipt of letter dated 22nd advising on behalf of Mrs. Larsen of sale of property at 43 Breen Street and of receipt of contract.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Conditions of sale by private contract dated 7th May, 1934 between Miss M.H. Wild as executrix in the estate of E. Wild deceased (seller) and E.T. Thomas (buyer) for land situate Hargreaves Street corner Wattle Street, Bendigo being Crown allotment 25 section 97C described in certificate of title volume 1562 folio 332318. Also that piece of land adjoining above being land described in residence area certificate No.30319 in the books of the mining registrar at Bendigo. Together with 6-roomedweatherboard dwelling and all sundry. Price 350 pounds.organization, business, h.a. & s.r wilkinson real estate

Diggers & mining. The gold era. This illustration shows the railway station at Woodend. (Looks more like a photo then a sketch). Markings 45 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. Later, the line to Castlemaine was constructed. Slide shows rail line going between to valleys. Railway viaduct, Jackson's Creek. Markings 44 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. The next railway line to be opened was that between Geelong and Melbourne. Sketch of large railway station. Markings 4 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. In 1854, the first railway line was opened, between Flinders Street and Hobson's Bay. Slide shows a picture of railway station. STG on bottom left corner of slide. Markings 42 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. Gradually, roads were built, and Cobb and Co., amongst others, established regular coaching services. Markings 41 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. This picture gives some idea of the difficulties of travel in the early days. Shows 10 oxen pulling a large heavy cart through a river, a rider from the top of the cart falls off. Another cart is being pulled by a horse, one man has fallen on the ground another is headfirst of the large cart, 3 men behind the cart may be pushing. A dead horse lay by the river. Crossing a creek at Bacchus Marsh. Markings 40 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. (2) Transport Markings 39 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. The next year, voting by ballot was introduced, and in 1857 manhood suffrage was adopted for the Legislative Assembly. Markings 38 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. In 1855, a new constitution provided for responsible government under two houses of legislature (a Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly), both elected under a restricted franchise. Markings 37 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. In 1851, Victoria was given self government, and La Trobe was appointed as Governor. Governor La Trobe is pictured in the slide. Markings 36 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. The first meeting of the Victorian Legislative Council (20 elected by property owners and 10 nominated). The slide shows all that were at the meeting. Including people in the balcony. Markings 35 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. During the gold era, the value of gold produced averaged £12 million a year. Markings 34 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. Noteworthy Developments During The Gold Era (1) Government. Markings 33 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Diggers & mining. The gold era. - - - and finally quartz mining was begun, chiefly by companies. Machinery was used to develop these deep mines. Slide shows a deep mine layed out on a hillside. Markings 32 994.031 GOL:5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields