Showing 771 items
matching the birds of australia
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Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Animal specimen - Emu egg, n.d
... ornithology emu egg bird Australia Emu egg Animal specimen Emu egg ...Emu eggnatural history, ornithology, emu egg, bird, australia -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Document - Telegram, 04/12/1954
Congratulatory wedding telegram, originating from Red Cap Creek, Vic, sent to Mr & Mrs M.B. Smith, married at Penola in South Australia on the 4th of December 1954. Telegram postmarked at Penola; buff coloured paper, message in black type; 'Congratulations' in banner at top with town crier one side, bird the other. -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Manufactured objects, safety matches Bryant & May Ltd, 20thC
Bryant and May was a United Kingdom (UK) company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London. They later opened other match factories in the United Kingdom and Australia, such as the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne; and owned match factories in other parts of the world.Bryant and May survived as an independent company for over seventy years, but went through a series of mergers with other match companies and later with consumer products companies. To protect its position Bryant and May merged with or took over its rivals. In 1971 the Northern Ireland factory, Maguire & Patterson closed down following a terrorist attack.. In the 1980s, factories in Gloucester and Glasgow closed too leaving Liverpool as the last match factory in the UK, until December 1994. The former Australian match factory, in Melbourne, closed in the mid-1980s. The registered trade name Bryant and May still exists and it is owned by Swedish Match, as are many of the other registered trade names of the other, formerly independent, companies within the Bryant and May group. The British match brands continue to survive, as brands of Swedish Match, and are made outside the UK. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting animals, birds and notable persons also producedThe Bryant & May Ltd factory in Church St Richmond is a listed building and has been converted to apartments following the closure of the Company 1980. Bryant & May's Ltd were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches. They were also the object of the 'Match Girls Strike' in London 1888, which won important improvements in working conditions and pay for the mostly female workforce working with the dangerous white phosphorus. The public were slow to purchase these safety matches because of the higher price .A box of safety matches with unused matches made by Bryant & May Pty Ltd , Richmond Victoria Australia. The tray containing the matches slides inside the open ended cover.. The striking patch is on both sides of the cover.PREVENT FIRES/ BRYANT & MAY'S / a crown in an oval shape / SAFETY MATCHES/ MOTORISTS USE ASHTRAY/ AV. CONTENTS 60 / Made in Australiasafety matches, bryant & may's pty ltd, phosy jaw disease, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, richmond, cheltenham, lights, lamps, tobacco -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Containers, matchbox 'Redhead' with matches, 20thC
On 15th December 1909, Bryant & May, Australia’s first match factory at Church Street, Richmond, Victoria. was opened by The Honourable Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia, and Mrs. Deakin. It was heralded by the first Commonwealth Government of newly-federated Australia because the government of the day was anxious to encourage secondary industry and pledged tariff protection of local manufacturers. The building was constructed in 1909 as the Empire Works to a design by prolific Melbourne architect William Pitt and was purchased soon after by British safety match manufacturer Bryant and May, who significantly expanded the building, adding another level and the landmark clock tower. Bryant and May were unique in that they operated as a model factory, providing workers with conditions and amenities that even today seem generous. These included a dining hall and sports facilities such as a tennis court and bowling green which were constructed in the 1920s. Bryant and May ceased Australian match manufacture in the early 1980s as a result of import competition. Their iconic Redheads matches are now imported from Sweden. The complex has since been converted for use as offices and showrooms but is extremely well preserved. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Bryant and May was a United Kingdom (UK) company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London. They later opened other match factories in the United Kingdom and Australia, such as the Bryant and May Factory, Melbourne; and owned match factories in other parts of the world. Bryant and May survived as an independent company for over seventy years, but went through a series of mergers with other match companies and later with consumer products companies. To protect its position Bryant and May merged with or took over its rivals. In 1971 the Northern Ireland factory, Maguire & Patterson closed down following a terrorist attack.. In the 1980s, factories in Gloucester and Glasgow closed too leaving Liverpool as the last match factory in the UK, until December 1994. . The registered trade name Bryant and May still exists and it is owned by Swedish Match, as are many of the other registered trade names of the other, formerly independent, companies within the Bryant and May group. Two French chemists, Henri Savene and Emile David Cahen, proved in 1898 that the addition of phosphorus sesquisulfide meant that the substance was not poisonous, that it could be used in a "strike-anywhere" match, and that the match heads were not explosive. British company Albright and Wilson, was the first company to produce phosphorus sesquisulfide ( Red Phosphorous) matches commercially. The company developed a safe means of making commercial quantities of phosphorus sesquisulfide in 1899 and started selling it to match manufacturers. Matches were first produced by Bryant & May in Australia in 1909. The Redhead name applies to the red striking heads of the matches which were introduced to Australia in 1946. The logo on the matchbox depicted the head and shoulder of a redheaded woman and has had four major updates since that time with a number of special issues depicting birds, animals and notable persons also produced.The Bryant & May Ltd factory in Church St Richmond is a listed building and has been converted to apartments following the closure of the Company 1980. Bryant & May's Ltd were influential in fighting against the dreadful disease known as Phossy jaw which was caused by white phosphorus used in the manufacture of the early matches. They were also the object of the 'Match Girls Strike' in London 1888, which won important improvements in working conditions and pay for the mostly female workforce working with the dangerous white phosphorus. The public were slow to purchase these safety matches because of the higher price .A box of safety matches with unused matches made by Bryant & May Pty Ltd , Richmond Victoria Australia. The tray containing the matches slides inside the open ended cover.. The striking patch is on both sides of the cover. Av. CONTENTS 50 MADE IN AUSTRALIA / Brymay / 1/3 / Safety Matches / Redheads / a colour picture of a Kookaburra / Laughing KOOKABURRAsafety matches, bryant & may pty ltd, phossy jaw disease, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, lights, lamps, tobacco, white phosphorous, phosphorus sesquisulfide, swedish match pty ltd, pitt william, savens henri, cahen emile david , richmond victoria, -
Dunkeld Museum Inc.
Box, Wooden, Handmade, Wooden Flag Box
This box was made for the Royal Dunkeld School in Scotland to participate in a flag exchange with with the Dunkeld State School No 183 in Victoria, Australia in 1910. It was made from the wood of one of three Larch trees planted in Dunkeld Scotland by the 2nd Duke of Athol from seeds which were brought from the Tyrol. The tree was struck by lightning in 1905 and died over the next few years. It was cut down and some of the timber was used to make the box.This box was sent to the Dunkeld State School from the Royal School of Dunkeld, Scotland and part of a state wide flag exchange in Victoria in 1910. Schools were encouraged to contact schools with a similar name. This box contained a Union Jack which was first flown at the Dunkeld, Victoria school on Empire Day 1910. A box made of Australian Ash was sent to Scotland with an Australian flag enclosed.Timber box made from larch wood. Silver shield on the lid and plaque on the front edge of the lid and crossed flags on the front of the box with a portrait of King George 5th and a banner engraved "God Save the King". Handles on the end are brass lions heads with rings through their mouth. Lock keeper is silver in the form of a Maltese Cross.. The lid has bevelled sides and ends and the interior has strengthening bars in the corners and inside the lid is the provenance of the timber.On top a shield with a bird and a thistle and the letters RDS. Below this a bannet with the words Forward with Honour. On the front bevel of the lid a plaque with "Presented to Dunkeld State School Victoria Australia from Dunkeld Royal H.G. School Scotland 24th may 1910. On the front. Banner with God save the King. Crossed flags representing either the Union Jack or the Scottish Saltair and the Australian Flag and a medallion with the head of King George 5th in relief. -
Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Souvenir - Souvenir - Vinyl Sticker Portland Harbour, n.d
Formerly Bower Bird Museum, HeywoodRectangular card with removable oval-shaped vinyl sticker in the centre. Sticker has an image of several wind-surfers in Portland Harbour off Henty Beach , Trawler Wharf and Fisherman's Breakwater in Background. Round hole for hanging, top centre . Pink border, pink "Portland', top centre of stickerFront: Yellow logo' 'Australia collectors choice Murray Views; in black Souvenir vinyl stick-ons, black print $1 blue texta -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Percy Leason, Cartoon by Eltham resident, Percy Leason, 1928
"Jones purchased a quiet little weekend retreat in the hill', published in 1928. Black and white drawing from a Bird’s eye perspective showing a house with veranda surrounded by shrubbery and a large gum tree. It features numerous people in the garden with a road full of various automobiles at the top of the picture. The image is reminiscent of the artists “Wiregrass” series of a mythical country town which were published in the Weekly “Table Talk” magazine from 1926 to 1937. Percy Leason (1889 - 1959) was a painter and cartoonist renowned for his depictions of Australian society in the 1920s and 1930s. He lived in Eltham from about 1924 to 1938 when he moved to the USA. Published by Thomas Nelson, Carlton date unknown. Published in "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall" (1971) Chapter 16 Eltham in Modern Times, page 97.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, percy leason, drawing, illustration -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. alpine fire prevention, sec fire prevention -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, from the 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires.The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for eating with the side benefit to those plants requiring that fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy produced by the SEC Vic. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0414 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photograph Fire Prevention Victorian Alps, Burning, Circa 1950
This photograph, in late 1950s, shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub to reduce the level of available fuel against any possible summer bush fires. The Alpine regions accumulate high levels of potential fuel (undergrowth and small shrubs) which if not reduced has the potential of breaking into a dangerous bush fire. The men in this photograph are not wearing any protective clothing. Their visibility to other firefighters is severely reduced by smoke. This photo is a snap shot in time when Occupational Health and Safety Legislation was in its infancy stage.This photograph details the fire prevention activities in the Victorian Alps under the management of the SEC Victoria. The level of undergrowth within the Australian bush needs to be kept under control to avoid the possibility of lightning strikes (during summer storms) igniting dry forests resulting in a major bush fire. Controlled fires within alpine regions are required not only to reduce the level of dry undergrowth but also to provide those various plant species requiring fire for regenerate. This method was used by the original inhabitants (Aborigines) as limited scrub fires were used to flush game and bird population for food, with a side benefit to those plants requiring the fire for regeneration.This black and white photograph shows an Alpine Fire Prevention technique of "burning off" low levels of scrub. The photograph is on 200gsm paper but it is not photographic paper. It can be assumed that the photo is not the original but a copy. See also KVHS 0413 and KVHS 0415 for other similar photos.kiewa valley tourism, victorian alps, alternate energy supplies, alpine population growth -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Rabbit Traps x3
Rabbits are recognised as a pest in Australia. They were often trapped and eaten especially during the depression years of the 1890s and 1930s but also the 1950s and 1960s. Steel-jaw traps work by snapping shut on the leg of an animal, holding it until a trapper arrives, or until the animal dies or wrings its paw off. They became illegal in Australia during the 1980s on animal cruelty grounds. Some old rabbit traps are valuable.Used by residents in the Kiewa ValleyA steel jaw trap has jaws that are designed to spring together. It is illegal to use them in Australia. 2 of the rabbit traps are 'S. Griffiths 3 stars IXL Ref. "one of the pioneers, well known among long-experienced trappers' Page 21 Farmyard Relics by Ken Arnold. The other trap ha a picture of a bird engrave on it.rabbit traps, steel-jaw traps -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Badge - Royal Federation of Aero Clubs Badge, Stokes Melbourne, Circa 1969?
Swinton CollectionGold flying bird on circular disk of gold and 2 blues circled around the earth and inscription of Australia. Gold lettering on dark blue outer circle Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Austswinton, aero clubs, royal federation of aero clubs -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Document - Postcard, Wading Birds of Warrnambool, Tapestry commenced February 2012. Postcard printed on its completion
This postcard is a photograph of a section of a large tapestry , 1.8m x 1.9m, which hangs in the foyer of the South West Health Care. This tapestry was funded by the Geoff and Helen Handbury Foundation. It was woven at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, South Melbourne. The postcard “Concerning the Wading Birds of Warrnambool Wetlands” brings to a wider audience, the work of John Wolesley as well as the craftsmanship of the weavers in presenting his original watercolor in a different medium. The tapestry itself was commissioned by Warrnambool Base Hospital.Background is in muted shades of blue and browns with larger birds in foreground and smaller ones in the background. The texture of the tapestry is clearly visible. The back of the postcard has South West Healthcare logo in top left corner and credits in bottom section.South West Healthcare logo, Artist John Wolseley, Weavers, Chris Cochius, Pamela Joyce, Milena Paplinka, Photo credit, Jeremy Weihrauch. warrnambool, warrnambool base hospital, tapestry, john wolesley, south west health care, geoff and helen handbury foundation, australian tapestry workshop, weavers. -
Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
Hat, circa 1960's to 1980's
Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. No interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid peak/visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings. -
Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
Hat, circa 1960's to 1980's
Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Frank McClelland.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings. -
Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
Hat, circa 1970's
Donated to Ansett Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. Orange cotton flat-topped crown. Orange cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal leather band. Interior lining of green cotton under plastic. Perforated leather sweat band. Rigid black visor made of natural fibre. Black cloth strap above visor is secured by orange buttons.Insignia features a five-pointed silver star above a golden bird in flight, on red background, surrounded by a wreath of golden feathers.Label inside reads "Emerco Melbourne 36 1218 Made in Australia". -
Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum
Hat, circa 1960's to 1980's
Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. black cotton treated crown. black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Black mounting. Gold strap above peak on frontNo inscriptions. No markings.peak cap, crown, black, cap badge -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, George Robertson & Co, The Gumsucker At Home, 1914?
Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria. as well as his stories he published a number of Books about the history of Ballarat. Spielvogel taught at Orbost for at least a year and this book reflects that time. Spielvogel was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. He has an association with the history of Orbost having spent a year as a teacher at Orbost. The book also has an association with J.W. Bird an early auctioneer and estate agent in Orbost.A small 124 pp book with a pink, white and red cover with an illustration of a fisherman at a river. It is titled "The Gumsucker at Home" by N. F. Spielvogel.inside cover - J. W. Birdspielvogel-nathan the-gumsucker-at-home australian-literature -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, Victoria And Its Metropolis, Past And Present, 1888?
This book was written by Alexander Sutherland from the discovery of Australia, through to the exploration of Victoria and the first settlers to the pioneers. It then continues on to discuss immigration, the era of gold, the development of government, agriculture, music and art, literature and the metropolis of Melbourne. There were two volumes. It was published to co-incide with the centenary of Australia's first settlement.This book is a history of Victoria and Melbourne to 1888 and is useful resource for all local and social historians of Victoria and the metropolis of Melbourne.A very large book. It has no cover. Pages are gold edged and there is string in the binding.history-victoria sutherland-alexander melbourne-history -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, McCarron, Bird & Co, Second Systematic Census Australian Plants, 1889
... and was on the A.C.Gregory expedition to northern Australia in 1855-57. He also ...Ferdinand von Mueller was born at Rostock, Germany, on 30 June 1825 , died at Melbourne, Australia, on 10 October 1896. He studied pharmacy and took his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Kiel in 1847. He came to Australia in 1848 for health reasons and became a great botanical collector and writer. He was Victorian Government Botanist from 1853, and for a time Director of the Botanic Gardens. He travelled widely in Victoria and was on the A.C.Gregory expedition to northern Australia in 1855-57. He also founded the National Herbarium of Victoria. He named many Australian plants.Mueller was one of the first people to take a scientific interest in Victorian forests, and argued against indiscriminate clearing of land. This item is a useful research tool.A 244 pp book, cover missing, botany victoria-botany baron-ferdinand-von-mueller -
Orbost & District Historical Society
dining chair, from about 1906 until the 1930s
This item is an example of domestic furniture created to reflect an Australiana type design with Australian motifs.Australiana lyre bird wood dining chair. Lyre bird carving on head rest. Wood turned structuressRID 254chair dining-chair furniture-domestic -
Orbost & District Historical Society
plate, Powell, Bishop & Stonier, December 6 1880
Belonged to Mary Gilbert who was a passionate local historian. She was awarded a British Empire medal in recognition of her work for education and the community. Mary Isabelle Gilbert was born in 1905 in Orbost, Australia. She was born to John Gilbert and Annie Cameron Gilbert, and had seven sisters and one brother. Four siblings died at a young age. .She was a teacher historian loved and respected by her family and the wider community.This item is an example of late 19th century English porcelain.Hand-painted Conway plate with illustrations of birds, sunsets, butterflies and sailing ships. Cream background.Back - British coat of arms. 3 logos.plate domestic crockery porcelain conway gilbert-mary -
Orbost & District Historical Society
book, James Yeates & Sons (Printing) Pty Ltd, The Silk Jetties of the Mitchell river, 1972
This booklet was the first of a series of scientific and historical studies of Gippsland to be published by the Bairnsdale Advertiser. The author, Eric Charles Frederick Bird was Principal Fellow, Department of Geography, University of Melbourne, Australia. The Mitchell River silt jetties are an unusually long, thin landform located in the Gippsland Lakes region. They have been formed over millions of years by sediment deposition from the Mitchell River during periods of low water flow and subsequent wash-through during periods of high water flow. The long narrow banks of silt extend more than eight kilometres east into Lake King. This item is a useful reference for the silt jetties of the Mitchell River.A 32 pp book with alight green cover. The title is in black print, " The Silk Jetties of the Mitchell River" and underneath the title there is a b/w photograph of the Mitchell River and silt jetties taken from above in 1931. It was written by E. C. F. Bird.silt-jetties mitchell-river paynesville bird-e.c.f. -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Decorative object - Peacock, Minton Majolica life-size model, Paul Comolera, artist, Designed: c. 1873; Made: c. 1875
This majestic peacock embodies technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897), and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians, loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory, as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became famous pottery and porcelain manufacturers. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms, and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best known work. Comolera, kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio, to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory, research is still on-going. These peacocks were so admired that the Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, assuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics, tiles and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares including the peacock at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg on the ships journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods including this peacock back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’, and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton &Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home for many years, and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Florence tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell the peacock, it was displayed in the window of the Argus newspaper office on Collins Street, and at the National Museum on 1st June 1935, the date of the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock again attracted public attention with books, newspaper and magazine articles being published telling the story of its survival from a shipwreck. After Miller's death, the peacock remained in an antique dealer's shop in Melbourne for many years until it was bought at auction by Frank Ridley-Lee, in the 1940s, who displayed the bird at his home in Ivanhoe/Heidelberg. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee, until it was offered for sale in 1975 as part of Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. In 1975, an advertisement in Melbourne newspaper, the Age announced the sale by auction of the art collection of the Ridley-Lee estate that included this peacock. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to raise the necessary funds through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half of the of the cost. On 9 September 1975, the peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980 at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Functional object - Lamp, circa 1878
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 -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Charles Kenneth Thompson, Old Bob's Birds, 1950
... the Marysville State School library. australia nature birds c.k. thompson ...A book that is part of a series of Australian Nature Stories by C.K. Thompson.On the front of the dust cover is an illustration of an old man sitting on a bench outside an aviary smoking a pipe and there is a bird sitting on his shoulder. He is talking to two children. On the back of the dust cover is the blurbs of two other novels written by C. K. Thompson.fictionA book that is part of a series of Australian Nature Stories by C.K. Thompson.australia, nature, birds, c.k. thompson, fiction, old bob -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book, Charles Kenneth Thompson, Old Bob's Birds, 1950
... by a resident of Marysville. australia nature birds c.k. thompson ...This is a delightful book that will appeal to children of all ages, and especially those of the tenderer years. Old Bob the sundowner is a character who will endear himself to young readers. So will his two small friends, Roddy and Susan, to whom he imparts all the vast lore of the bush he has gained during a lifetime of wandering.There is no dust cover. Front cover shows the series name, the title of the book, the author's name and the publisher's name.fictionThis is a delightful book that will appeal to children of all ages, and especially those of the tenderer years. Old Bob the sundowner is a character who will endear himself to young readers. So will his two small friends, Roddy and Susan, to whom he imparts all the vast lore of the bush he has gained during a lifetime of wandering.australia, nature, birds, c.k. thompson, fiction, old bob -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book - Hardcover book, Alexander Sutherland, M.A, Victoria and its Metropolis-Past and Present-Volume 1, 1888
A history of Victoria from the time of the discovery of Australia through until 1888.Hardback. Dark brown cover with the title in gold lettering. There is also a border in gold decorating the outer edge of the front cover. The spine is also decorated in gold along with the title and the volume number.non-fictionA history of Victoria from the time of the discovery of Australia through until 1888.melbourne, victoria, exploration, settlement, john batman, john pascoe fawkner, pioneers, colonisation, immegration, aboriginals, discovery of gold, democracy, burke and wills, agriculture, manufacturing, literature, art, music, drama, education, science, churches, history -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Book - Hardcover book, McCarron, Bird & Co, Victoria and its Metropolis-Past and Present-Volume 2, 1888
A history of the various colonies and districts of Victoria from the time of the discovery of Australia through until 1888.Hardback. Dark brown cover with the title in gold lettering. There is also a border in gold decorating the outer edge of the front cover. The spine is also decorated in gold along with the title and the volume number.non-fictionA history of the various colonies and districts of Victoria from the time of the discovery of Australia through until 1888.melbourne, victoria, pioneers, colonisation, history, fauna, flora, banking, finance, medicine, western district, south-western district, wimmera district, geelong district, ballarat district, avoca district, coliban district, campase district, loddon district, lower goulburn district, upper goulburn district, ovens district, north-east district, gippsland district, mornington district, westernport district, upper yarra district, evelyn district, bourke district -
Marysville & District Historical Society
Postcard (item) - Colour postcard, Scancolor (Australia) Pty Ltd, Marysville-Victoria-Australia-Walking track through the "Beeches", Pre 2009
A colour photograph of a couple walking on the track through the "Beeches".A colour photograph of a couple walking on the track through the "Beeches". Starting from the spectacular Taggerty Cascades, the Beeches Rainforest Walk meanders through the ancient cool temperate rainforest of the Yarra Ranges. Dominated by Myrtle Beech trees and stands of Mountain Ash, the rainforest is home to many species of birds including lyrebirds. This postcard was produced by Scancolor Australia as a souvenir of Marysville.MARYSVILLE/ Victoria - Australia Walking track through the "Beeches". scancolor Australia (03) 555 1944/ CS 4067marysville, victoria, the beeches, walking track, scancolor australia, postcard, souvenir