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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Negative - Photograph, J.H. Clark, Eltham Tennis Court, c.1905
People pose for a photograph at the Eltham tennis court. Four men set to play a doubles match while a group of women look on. The sandy looking court (with weeds growing) is surrounded by wooden posts with wire mesh, in the middle of a park with mature gum trees in the background. The tennis court was situated in Eltham South at Bremner’s Flats (near present day Wingrove Park). The court is approximately the location of the present day small carpark. Main Road can be seen in the background from centre left and Mount Pleasant just above, the intersection just above the centre of court. The photo by J.H. Clark has been taken outside the court. Cross Ref SEPP_0721 of the Lady Premiers for 1909-1910 in which an umpires raised seating platform has been erected and the court surface is more refined with marked lines. The Eltham Lawn Tennis Club was formed on a Saturday evening, the 29th of October, 1898 at a meeting held at the Eltham State school. The meeting was large and representative. Twenty members were enrolled, and eight more have since been added. Officers and a committee were duly elected, and the Treasurer was instructed to purchase the necessary requisites without delay. By the end of the first week in November all the requisites were to hand, two courts were marked out, and practice begun. The formal opening of the Courts of this Club took place on Saturday, November 12, 1898, when 26 members and their friends assembled. After several sets had been contested an adjournment was made for tea provided by the members and nicely laid out under the shade of the trees. Afterwards, sets were again formed and the game was proceeded with in a lively spirit till nearly dark, when all dispersed having thoroughly enjoyed themselves during the afternoon. (Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902), Friday 18 November 1898, page 2) Reproduced on p89 of 'Pioneers & Painters' Photographer: J.H. Clark John Henry Clark was the youngest of three boys born to William Henry Clark (1823-1877) and Maria White (1843-1914). He and his brothers, William Charles Clark (1872-1945), Clement Kent Clark (1874-1912) operated a photography business (Clark Bros.) from 25 Thomas Street, Windsor near Prahran during the period c.1894 to 1914. Following death of Clement in September 1912 and their mother in 1914, the Clark Bros business appears to have dissolved, the premises demolished, and a new house was under construction in 1915. John set up business independently in 1914 operating out of 29 Moor Street, Fitzroy where he is registered in the 1914 and 1915 Electoral Rolls. By 1916 John had relocated to Eltham where he continued his practice as a photographer and took many of the early images around the district of Little Eltham. Around 1930 John changed professions and opened a small cobbler's shop in 1931 near the pond opposite Dalton Street adjacent to the Jarrold family cottage. He never married and continued his profession as a bootmaker from this little shop, maintaining a close relationship with Mrs Jarrold for the rest of their lives. His bootmaker shop remains today beside the Whitecloud cottage and is one of only three remaining shops in the area from the early 20th century. There are a couple of images of Eltham taken by Clark Bros. in the Eltham District Historical Society collection, one such example being Hunniford’s Post Office with Miss Anne Hunniford out front (EDHS_00140 - marked on the back of the print, Clark Bros., 25 Thomas St. Windsor), which would date this image between c.1894 and 1914. Other early images of Eltham taken by John Henry Clark are marked on the face “J. H. Clark Photo” and it is assumed these are dated between 1914 and 1930. It is noted that the Grant of Probate for John H Clark of Eltham South dated 5 April !957 (513/387) records his occupation as "X Photographer".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 '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 image 4 x 5 inch B&W Negshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, bremner's flat, eltham, eltham tennis court, j.h. clark photo, pioneers and painters, tennis court, wingrove park, 1905, eltham lawn tennis club, main road, mount pleasant road -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Letter, Letter written by H.C.Howship to Ringwood Mail Ringwood 1963
To the Editor of the Ringwood Mail Dear Sir, would you please publish in your widely read paper the following letter for the information of the residents of the City of Ringwood- Re the passing of my brother Mr. J.P. Howship, who was an ANZAC one of the pioneer family of Howship of Ringwood which name is connected with the early history of Ringwood or more particularly Ringwood East as the late J.P. Howship and myself purchased the Nursery of Mr. John Hill around the year 1912 and after a couple of years my late brother Bert was taken into partnership and we bought the adjoining nursery of Mr. Will Hill and traded under name Howship Bros. Rosedale Nursery and the name of one street in the old property Howship Avenue is named after the old firm as well as Rosedale Crescent. The move for the establishment of the Ringwood East station started with myself and in a meeting up with a Mr .T. Birkitt who I felt was the man I needed as he was a sub Estate Agent .A meeting was called and held in our packing shed at the end of Federal Road which at that time ended at Mr. Charlie Burdens property and abbuted (sic) on our property. This meeting was attended by about sixty residents and the late Mr. C. Wedge was elected as the first President of the Ringwood East Railway League and Progress Assoc. with Mr. T. Birkitt as Secretary and myself as assist. Secretary. This League raised the sum of about 1,600 from residents and land owners for the erection of the Ringwood East Railway Station & after the station was erected and paid for the League part was canceled and the Progress Assoc. carried on. The present Ringwood East Cricket Club was formed at meeting and the Prog .......and my three brothers Bert, Mervyn and played cricket in the Ringwood district for many years and most of us were members of the Ringwood at first and then the Ringwood East Football clubs and followed the teams for years a few names of the old players came to mind in E. Thomas , C. Weil, T. Homewood, the Pratt family and others. I might mention for the benefit of the City of Ringwood residents my eldest brother Laurie late of New Street and now living at Blairgowrie was with what was then known as Coopers Mills and designed and helped to build some of the first buildings in that property now known as Ringwood Timber & Trading Co .Also that myself and others namely the Reidy Brothers, Mr. Taylor, & L .Cleary & voluntary labour formed the tennis courts at East Ringwood with the help of our young Ladies of the time, those courts I'm pleased to say are well established and two more are added and provide good activities for the young people of the district. Also with the aid of C .Thomas, Norm Blood and others we formed the Methodist courts. From the Ringwood East Progress Association came the move to have a Health Centre for Ringwood. This was established by a good deal of enthusiastic work by some mothers after spending nearly fifty years in Ringwood watching it grow from town surrounded by orchards to a City and I must congratulate the Civic Fathers and their staff in the growth of Ringwood and the fine roads, Parks, Elderly Citizens Club and have all done a good job but why oh why have you neglected mines Road Ringwood east. Why has this road not been made the drainage there is something to be seen to be believed in such a city .The only solution is making and curbing this road & I would ask those responsible why the curbing was put down Dublin Road where there are no residents this curbing could well have solved the problem in Mines Road if used there. I recently spent a weekend with my Daughter, Mrs. Munro at the corner of Maroondah highway and Mines Road and was disgusted at the condition of Mines Road and drainage and had to air my views and suggest a trip to Mines Road by the Civic Fathers led by the Health Inspector I am yours sincerely H.C. Howship Sheila Street, Rye. (copied here verbatim)3 pages of hand written letter detailing the early history of the East Ringwood Railway and Progress Association, football, cricket and tennis clubs.. Written as a draft in 1963. -
Brighton Historical Society
Flag, W. Morgan & Co, School flag, circa 1910s - 1930s
This flag was used by Rosbercon Girls Grammar School, which operated in Brighton from 1906 until 1941. The school was established in 1906 by the Tisdall family. The Tisdalls were a family of educators: Irish-born Henry Thomas Normanton Tisdall and his wife Lucy taught for many years at the Walhalla State School in Gippsland, along with Lucy's sisters Alice and Clara Weekes. Three of the Tisdall daughters, Ethel, Constance and Theodosia (Theo) followed their mother and aunts into the teaching profession. Constance in particular considered education her true calling and harboured a dream of one day being principal of her own school. After Henry's death in 1905, faced with financial uncertainty and several unmarried daughters to support, Lucy Tisdall decided to take a risk. She sold the family's Toorak home and, together with her sister Alice, leased 'Ashburnham', a large Victorian villa at 106 North Road, Brighton. The plan was to open a private school, with Ethel and Constance as co-principals and Lucy, Alice and Theo teaching and managing the household affairs. This came as a "joyful surprise" to Constance, who was only informed of the plan after it had been finalised. The school was named Rosbercon after Henry's home village in County Wexford, Ireland. The crest, designed by son Bert Tisdall around 1910, featured a crowned letter 'A' above the motto "amor vincit omnia" ("love conquers all"), both inspired by a verse in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Prioress's Tale": "about her arm she bore/A paire of bedes gauded all in grene,/And theron heng a broche of gold full shene,/On which there was first writ a crowned 'A',/And after, Amor Vincit Omnia." It was a motto Constance held close to her heart, embodying her values as a teacher. Reflecting in 1961, she wrote, "In a school without punishments, a school with love and understanding between teacher and pupil - with a love of teaching on one side, and a desire to learn on the other, love would indeed conquer all." The school's opening day in 1906 proved less than auspicious, with no pupils arriving at all. The women persisted and by the end of the first week, five students had been enrolled. From here, the school grew steadily in size. A new schoolroom designed by architect Harold Desbrowe-Annear was built in the house's orchard to accommodate the increasing numbers, but by 1911 the Tisdalls began looking for larger premises. They leased the nearby property 'Hazeldean' at 124 North Road and, during the 1912 school holidays, the Desbrowe-Annear schoolroom was raised onto a lorry drawn by sixteen horses and moved down the road to what would become Rosbercon's new home. In 1923, Constance instituted a modified version of the Dalton Plan, an education model based on individualised learning. Girls in senior years were encouraged to work more independently, making regular use of the reference library and working to a monthly assignment schedule. The school performed well academically and in competitive sport, but over time was eclipsed by the nearby Firbank Church of England Girls' Grammar School (established 1909), whose institutional backing provided it with access to wider resources and facilities than those of the small family-run Rosbercon. At the end of 1933, Ethel and Theo retired and Constance became principal of St Anne's Church of England Girls' Grammar School (now Gippsland Grammar) in Sale. Rosbercon was sold to Miss Iris Hay, who served as principal from 1934 until the school's closure in 1941. Following her own retirement in 1947, Constance Tisdall settled in Erica Avenue, East Malvern, in a house named 'Rosbercon' after her former school. She continued teaching English literature, mostly to migrants, and enjoyed regular visits from former students. Well into the late 1960s, old Rosbercon girls continued a tradition of coming together for an annual reunion on the first Saturday in November, on which day Constance would fly the school flag at her home.Large navy blue flag with horizontal maroon stripe at top and bottom, and school crest in centre. Stylised maroon "A" topped with yellow crown. Yellow scroll below with motto in navy blue letters: "AMOR.VINCIT.OMNIA".flag, school flag, rosbercon girls grammar school -
National Wool Museum
Journal, Dennys, Lascelles Limited 1857-1957 Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review, 1957
"Dennys, Lascelles Limited 1857-1957 Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review". Apart from the annual report, this booklet also contains a brief history of Dennys, Lascelles Limited from its founding in 1857 up to 1957. A copy of both the ‘Dennys Lascelles Limited 1857-1957: Annual Wool Report & Centenary Review’ & ‘Staff Reunion Souvenir Programme, 1988’ was donated to the museum in 2021. These were duplicate items so only their story was retained in addition to the image of Rita located in Multimedia. “Enclose two items which may be of interest to add to your collection. They belonged to my mother, Rita Sedgwick (nee Glenn), who died earlier this year in April. She worked for Dennys Lascelles in two separate periods. First as a young girl, who had finished her schooling, at Morongo Presbyterian ladies College, having been sent as boarder there by her parents from their farm at Mathoura (just north of Echuca). This period was from 1942 — 1947. It was her second job out of school having worked first at the then Geelong Telephone Exchange. She would commute daily to work on a bicycle from where she was then living in Drumcondra. She had the front office role of receptionist and telephonist driving an old manual switchboard. The old front desk was her domain. She departed in 1947, shortly after she was married in late 1946. She spoke fondly of her times at the company as a young girl in her late teens and early twenties. Her second stint was much later, but again as the front-desk telephonist and receptionist commencing in 1972, ending 11 years later in 1983. This was a period when Sir Henry Bolte was on the Board, Don Urqhuart was MD, Ray Hobson was General Manger, Cliff Bone the company Secretary, Peter Keys the CFO and Jim Hay was also on the Executive team. While there were some 25 years between her periods of service, she welcomed the chance to re-join the company. Again, it was a time of hard work, and good friends. The busy times were the wool auctions, when the Firm would be visited by representatives of the big Japanese trading houses such as Mitsui, and Kanematsu. The Chief Auctioneer, Mr. Reeves (I can't recall his first name), would hold court at the now demolished Geelong Wool Exchange — I saw him in action once — what a sight. The huge show floors in the Denny's building would be full of open bales and samples for the buyers to inspect, and for mum days would start at 0800, and finish at 1800 or later. In quieter times over summer, it was reported that the empty show floor would provide an excellent arena for the more enthusiastic cricketers to get in a bit of practise with a tennis ball at lunch and after closing time! Dennys was a full-service firm for wool growers, with branches all over the Western Districts as far afield as Mt Gambier, but through Timboon, Warrnambool, and the like, as I am sure you are aware. She also saw the merger of Dennys and Strachan to create DSM, and later the amalgamation with AML&F to create Dennys AML (I think). She saw the change from the old manual switch board to the then latest of PABX technologies and was part of the team the relocated from the original offices to the new address on the south side of Brougham Street. Along with the shift from the large show floor-based sales of the past. She retired from fulltime work in mid-1983, again with fond memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime. I found these two items among her things recently, and felt that given her connection to the industry, and the place in which the Museum now resides you may like to add them to the collection. I hope you can find a home for them, and that they might add a little to the story that the wool museum now houses and curates.” "Dennys, Lascelles Limited Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review, August 1957". Apart from the annual report, this booklet also contains a brief history of Dennys, Lascelles Limited from its founding in 1857 up to 1957.Dennys, Lascelles Limited Annual Wool Report and Centenary Review, August 1957wool brokering, wool growing, dennys, lascelles limited -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Portrait, about 1930
This photograph is of Angela Elizabeth Pearce, granddaughter of Tom Pearce - one of only 2 survivors from the shipwreck LOCH ARD. Angela Elizabeth Pearce had written in her grandfather’s Bible in childish handwriting the words “This Bible belongs to Angela E. Pearce”. Angela was born in England in 1925 and died in Woollahra N.S.W. in 1944, aged 19. She was one of Tom Pearce’s granddaughters. Her father, Robert Pearce was Tom’s second son. Tom Pearce is a famous hero, the rescuer of Eva Carmichael, the only other survivor from the 1878 shipwreck of the LOCH ARD. The Bible was given to Tom Pearce in recognition of his bravery at the wreck of the LOCH ARD. It is on loan to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village from Parks Victoria. The ‘official’ inscription in the Bible reads, “Presented to Mr Thomas Pearce, In recognition of invaluable service performed in saving life when the Loch Ard was wrecked off the coast of Australia., by the Loyal Orange Institution of Victoria, Protestant Hall, Melbourne, August 1878” The photograph is accompanied by a letter, dated 4th May 2010, and is written by Angela’s cousin, Pamela Dormer of Devon, U.K. Her letter includes the words “Dear Mr Abbott, re Tom Pearce’s Bible, As you know, I have been in contact with Mr Peter Yarnis about means by which my grandfather’s presentation Bible can be released to be exhibited with his other effects, like the binoculars at Flagstaff Hill Museum. In the event that it will be, I have enclosed a photograph to join it. When my son Bill Dormer was at Port Campbell he was about to handle his great grandfather’s Bible and was surprised by a childish inscription opposite that of his presentation, which reads (I think this is the way it goes), THIS BIBLE IS THE PROPERTY OF ANGELA ELIZABETH PEARCE. Angela is my late cousin. Her father was Tom Pearce’s second son Robert Strasenburgh Pearce. I and my brother Raymond Simpson are the surviving grandchildren of Tom, by my mother Edith May Pearce, his only daughter. Angela and her mother, at the beginning of W.W.2, evacuated from England to Sydney, N.S.W. but sadly both were dead by early in the 60’s. Robert (my uncle Bobby) went down with his ship on the Malta Convoy, code named PEDESTAL, escorting with other ships the vital oil tanker OHIO to the island. (signed) Pamela Dormer” THE LOCH ARD’S STORY The sailing ship LOCH ARD was built in Glasgow in 1873 and belonged to the famous Loch Line. She made three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its final voyage which ended in tragedy near Port Campbell. The LOCH ARD left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of Captain Gibbs, a newly married, 29 year old. The ship carried a general cargo which reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. On board were straw hats, umbrella, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionary, linen and candles, as well as a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. LOCH ARD also had a crew of 37, and 17 passengers. The voyage to Port Phillip was long but uneventful. At 3am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs was expecting to see land and the passengers were becoming excited as they prepared to view their new homeland in the early morning. But LOCH ARD was running into a fog which greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs was becoming anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. At 4am the fog lifted. A man aloft announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view, and Captain Gibbs realised that the ship was much closer to them than expected. He ordered as much sail to be set as time would permit and then attempted to steer the boat out to sea. On coming head on into the wind, the ship lost momentum, the sails fell limp and LOCH ARD's bow swung back. Gibbs then ordered the anchors to be released in an attempt to hold its position. The anchors sank some 50 fathoms - but did not hold. By this time LOCH ARD was among the breakers, and the tall cliffs of Mutton Bird Island rose behind the ship. Just half a mile from the coast, the ship's bow was suddenly pulled around by the anchor. The captain tried to tack out to sea, but the ship struck a reef running out from Mutton Bird Island. Waves broke over the ship and the top deck was loosened from the hull. The masts and rigging came crashing down knocking passengers and crew overboard. It took time to free the lifeboats and when one was finally launched, it crashed into the side of LOCH ARD and capsized. Tom Pearce, who had launched the boat, managed to cling to its overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and then on the flood tide came into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge. He swam to shore, bruised and dazed and found a cave in which to shelter. Some of the crew stayed below deck to shelter from the falling rigging but drowned when the ship slipped off the reef into deeper water. Eva Carmichael had raced onto deck to find out what was happening only to be confronted by towering cliffs looming above the stricken ship. In all the chaos, Captain Gibbs grabbed Eva and said, "if you are saved Eva, let my dear wife know that I died like a sailor". That was the last Eva Carmichael saw of the captain. She was swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He dived in and swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore. He took her to the cave and broke open a case of brandy which had washed up on the beach. He opened a bottle to revive the unconscious woman. A few hours later Tom scaled a cliff in search of help. He followed hoof prints and came by chance, upon two men from nearby Glenample Station three and a half miles away. In a state of exhaustion, he told the men of the tragedy. Tom returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. By the time they reached LOCH ARD Gorge, it was cold and dark. The two shipwreck survivors were taken to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland, this time by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome. He was presented with the first gold medal of the Royal Humane Society of Victoria and a £1000 cheque from the Victorian Government. Concerts were performed to honour the young man's bravery and to raise money for those who lost family in the LOCH ARD disaster. The media of the time had created one of Australia's first media celebrities. Everyone followed the story of Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael with great interest and were disappointed when the two went their separate ways. It was felt by many that Tom should have proposed to Eva - given they had spent an evening together unsupervised in the cave and had drunk brandy to keep warm. Coleman Jacobs composed the music “The Young Hero Schottische” and dedicated it, by permission, to Mr. Thomas R. (Tom) Pearce. The sheet music was published in 1878 by the Messieurs Roberts, professors of dancing etc. Melbourne. It was on sale for 3/- (3 shillings) and in aid of the “LOCH ARD” fund. [This is Coleman Jacobs’ only surviving musical work Coleman Jacobs, accomplished pianist, musical performer, singer, composer, professor of music and music teacher, was born in 1827 and died on 4 July 1885, aged 58 years. Coleman Jacobs was buried in the Melbourne Cemetery (grave 461, Church of England section).] The wreck of LOCH ARD still lies at the base of Mutton Bird Island and much of the cargo has been salvaged. Some was washed up into what is now known as LOCH ARD Gorge following the shipwreck. Cargo and artefacts have also been illegally salvaged over many years before protective legislation was introduced. The photographic is of significance because of Tom Pearce and his association with the disaster of the LOCH ARD shipwreck, which is of State significance ― Victorian Heritage Register S417 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. Photograph, sepia coloured, with accompanying letter. The photograph is a portrait of a young girl in a short sleeved top with a flower on her left shoulder. The girl is "Angela Elizabeth Pearce, granddaughter of Tom Pearce" as inscribed on back of photograph. Tom Pearce was one of two survivors of the 1878 shipwreck LOCH ARD. Included with the photograph is a letter from its donor, Pamela Joan Dormer, other granddaughter of Tom Pearce. The letter dated 4th May 2010 explains the connection between Angela Pearce and Tom Pearce's Bible.Back of photograph, written in blue pen “ANGELA ELIZABETH PEARCE / TOM PEARCE’S GRANDAUGHTER / PHOTO PRESENTED BY / HIS OTHER GRANDAUGHTER / PAMELA JOAN DORMER / 2010” Letter from Pamela Dormer verifying the connection between Angela Pearce and Tom Pearce’s Bible.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, angela pearce, tom pearce, thomas r pearce, eva carmichael, loch ard shipwreck, tom pearce bible, loch ard presentation bible, hero tom pearce, loyal orange institution of victoria, royal humane society of victoria, mutton bird island, coleman jacobs, the young hero schottische -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Leading Aircraftsman, Lester Neil Ingram, RAAF, c.1943
Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Leading Aircraftsman, Lester Neil Ingram, RAAF, c.1943
Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Leading Aircraftsman, Lester Neil Ingram, RAAF, c.1943
Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1943 and 1949. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"lester neil ingram, baker, eltham, honour board, raaf, research (vic.), roll of honour, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Peter Pidgeon, Grave of Violet Feldbauer (nee Teagle), Eltham Cemetery, Victoria, 5 April 2021
FELDBAUER / TEAGLE Theodore Albert ‘Curly’ Feldbauer was born 15 October 1909 at Melbourne, the son of Theodore Henry (a naturalised German) and Jessie Margarette Feldbauer. The family moved several times during his childhood but before he was 20 he was living and working in the Eltham district. He became a well-known local sportsman. He played cricket for the Montmorency Imperials in 1929 and 1930 in the Eltham Cricket Association and excelled as a footballer and football coach. There are press references at the time to minor misdemeanours and accidents: evidently he was up for a brawl or two, but he was also able to do a recitation at a social night to launch the Eltham Girls Club in 1932. He married a local girl, Violet Amelda Teagle, in 1933, the 12th of 13 Teagle offspring who lived in Frank Street. Curly and Violet’s first child, June, was born the following year. By 1935 Curly was honorary secretary of the Research Cricket Club. He continued playing cricket regularly, mainly for Research, through till the 1940 season, after the war had begun. The girls started at Research State School in 1939 and 1940, respectively. They lived near Violet’s parents in Frank Street. Curly and Violet’s daughter, Valerie Waller recalls: “We lived near my Teagle grandparents, who had a cow. Dad took over the milking. He would rest his head against the cow and sing to her. When he left to join the army, it took weeks before she would settle down to allow anyone else to milk her.” Curly’s service record is not yet accessible from the National Archives of Australia. Valerie Waller gives us some insight into that period between Curly joining and ultimately embarking for Singapore: “Before he sailed to Singapore, Mum would travel by train, to Seymour, to spend a few hours with him. He sent her postcards and called her his “dear love”. His idea was that the sooner everyone eligible joined up, the sooner the war would be over. He had a great love for Australia.” “While he was a prisoner, Mum received a few postcards from him, not in his neat handwriting, but in block letter printing, to tell her he had received no mail or parcels from her. He must have felt we’d forgotten him, because, of course, Mum had sent lots of parcels and letters, and the Japanese hadn’t handed them on.” Theo was one of over 2,000 Allied prisoners of war held in the Sandakan POW camp in north Borneo, having been transferred there from Singapore as part of B Force. The 1,494 POWs that made up B Force were transported from Changi [Singapore] on 7 July 1942 on board the tramp ship Ubi Maru, arriving in Sandakan Harbour on 18 July 1942. Sergeant Feldbauer, aged 35, died as a prisoner of the Japanese on 27 March 1945 at Sandakan Number 1 Camp. The Japanese recorded his death from Malaria. He has no known grave, but it is believed to be at Sandakan Number 2 Camp. His death was not reported in Australia until some months later. Valerie noted: “I will never forget the sound my mother made when she received the telegram saying Dad had died months earlier, ostensibly from Malaria, but he died during the march. The sound still haunts me.” Violet’s husband Theo is recognised on the Eltham Roll of Honour, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Baby Health Centre opened in 1952; the first of three buildings, the others being the Eltham Kindergarten and Children’s Library, that were established as the Eltham War Memorial a living memorial, with a specific focus for the welfare of children of the district. Violet and Theo’s son Albert, being the youngest child of the children of soldier fathers attending a school in the district, was given the honour of turning the first sod for the Eltham War Memorial Building, 15 July 1950. In Loving Memory of Violet Feldbauer Died 7. 11 .1982 aged 88 Loved wife of Theo (Curly) Died P.O.W. Borneo 1945 Re-united Alongside Violet lay her parents, John Thomas and Margaret TeagleBorn Digitaleltham cemetery, gravestones, charles louis layfield, edwina may layfield (nee teagle), john thomas teagle, margaret teagle, theodore feldbauer, violet feldbauer (nee teagle), annie lillian devine, frederick raymond devine, eltham war memorial, honour board, roll of honour -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Document - Folder, McLean, 1984-1999
References to McLean family, Hector John McLean and Louisa Frances (nee Green) and six daughters who lived in Eltham during the period 1930 to 1934 inclusive. Lived in the former Evelyn Hotel at the time it was destroyed by fire and being part of the Centenary Parade in 1934 where the family won the Group Section for their entry “Pioneers of Eltham” Reminiscences provided by Edith Jones (nee M1934 flood, ballroom, baptism, barber shop, bittern, boy scouts, bremner's flat, burgoyne's shop, cable tram, cemetery road, centenary celebrations, centenary parade, christening, coach house, collis grocery, dalton street, depression, dole, dorothy jean mclean, edith jones (nee mclean), eltham fire brigade, eltham high school, eltham higher elementary school, eltham lower park, eltham railway station, eltham state school no. 209, evelyn hotel, fire damage - buildings, flinders naval depot, fordham, gladys evelyn mclean, gold mining, gwenneth mae mclean, gwladys evelyn mclean, headmistress, hector john mclean, isherwood house and shop, louisa frances mclean (nee green), metery road, methodist church, miss finnin, miss grant cottage, motor bike races, mrs barrett, mrs bremner, mrs hurley, olive isabel mclean, parade, phoebe lillian mclean, picnic, pioneers of eltham, pitt street, research fire brigade, rev. r.g. arthur, shed, shops, st margarets church hall, st margaret's church, stables, state savings bank of victoria, susso books, todaro, vinnie willet, warrandyte bridge, warrandyte, wingrove park, yarra river -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Book - Craft book, Norma Benporath, Tatting, circa 1940's
Tatting is a form of knotted lace making using thread and a small shuttle. Twisted threads are tied around or through small, pointed shuttles that can be made of bone, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, steel or plastic. This produces a stable, strong lace using simple knots of two half hitches to make rings and chains embellished with picots. The origins of tatting are not clear but early versions of decorative knotting were used by the Egyptians on their ceremonial dress. Tatting also has elements of fishermen's net making techniques and the decorative knotting that was practiced by aristocratic women from the 15th century. Tatting, as we know it today, emerged in the first half of the 19th century. The new availability of mercerised thread from 1835 encouraged a burgeoning of lace crafts of all sorts. It was known in Italy as "occhi" and in France as "la frivolite". Tatting looks fragile but is both strong and durable. An article in a column named "Wives and Daughters" published in the Star newspaper in May 1910 describes the durability of tatting lace - "there is edging and insertion still in existence that have outworn two sets of pillow slips." In the 19th century and well into the 20th century, tatting was used like crochet and knitted lace for decorative edgings, collars, doilies, tray cloths etc. At first, different tatting patterns were passed along by word of mouth from person to person, however in time, patterns regularly appeared in newspapers and magazines well into the 1950's. This book has photographs and detailed instructions for a wide range of tatted edgings and insertions suitable for household linens such as towels, doilies and tablecloths as well as patterns for whole mats. Stanley E. Mullen (a businessman) developed Semco Pty Ltd which began as a Melbourne based importation company in 1907. The first three letters of Semco's name were his initials. In 1915 it began manufacturing women's apparel, whitework and transfer patterns. In 1924 the company moved to Black Rock, Victoria and continued to produce an extensive range of needlework patterns and handcraft instruction booklets, threads etc. up until the late 1970's. Semco had a staff that included many young women. It was noted by E.J. Trait (editor of the local newspaper "Standard News") that the firm provided them with good working conditions and the correct rate of pay for women in a time of war - the starting rate for 15 year olds, mainly girls at Semco was 25 shillings per week. During World War 2, Manpower Regulations could be used to coerce workers to move into jobs that supported the war effort, but Trait argued that being employed at Semco could make this unlikely as the firm made some goods essential for the war effort. He even suggested that women be encouraged to produce needlework items (and play a part in the war effort) by sending them as presents, to the troops up north. He also heaped praise on the Semco workplace - noting that no Saturday work was the norm, allowing employees to shop and have "hair-do's" before enjoying a relaxing weekend! Semco also had a female cricket side in the women's Saturday association. After the war the firm stayed in production until the early 1990's when it was taken over by Coates-Paton Pty Ltd. Norma Benporath (1900 - 1998) was an expert in tatting techniques and taught and published extensively on the subject. She was born in New Zealand with impaired sight but cataract surgery restored 50% vision to one eye. She was inspired to learn tatting whilst watching her aunt tat and being told that tatting did not require as much sharp vision as embroidery. She quickly learnt to design her own patterns and published over 1000 tatted lace patterns between 1929 and 1952. She became a regular contributor to magazines (such as Home Beautiful) and newspapers across Australia. Her designs were also published in New Zealand, South Africa as well as the U.K. and U.S.A. When Semco, a thread manufacturer, noticed a rise in the sale of fine crochet threads, they realized they had an untapped market to explore. Norma designed a collection of tatting patterns for Semco that were used to help promote their threads. Norma also worked with Semco to produce a line of threads and shuttles specifically suited to tatting. In 1997, Norma was inducted into the "Order of Australia" for "Service to the craft of tatting as a designer and through the international publication of her patterns".This item is an excellent example of the needle work being enjoyed by women in the 1940's in Australia and the skills of the Australian designer, Norma Benporath. It is also an example of the trend that emerged for craft companies such as Semco to publish pattern books in order to advertise their own materials.A 32 page soft cover instruction book with green front and back covers showing two tatted doily designs. The book includes black and white photographs and written patterns by Norma Benporath.Front cover - "TATTING" "For / EXPERTS/ and / BEGINNERS" "By/Semco" "SEMCO INSTRUCTION BOOK" "No. 16" "WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS" "9" Back cover - "FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR WORKING SEE PAGE 22" "Published by Semco Pty. Ltd." "BLACK ROCK, 29, VIC"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, tatting, tatting instruction book, tatting patterns, tatting shuttle, semco, semco pty ltd, norma benporath, needlework, handcrafts, household linen, craftwork -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Photograph - Set of Photographs, John Chance, late 1960s to early 1970s
This set of glossy black and white photographs is a set of images of Glenample Homestead circa late 1960s to early 1970s. They were taken by John Chance and are part of the John Chance Collection. The Colonial Georgian style Glenample Homestead was built from 1866 to 1869 from locally quarried sandstone. In is built on the top of a hill amongst trees. There are paddocks below and around the building. The building is basically a rectangular shape with a recessed room on the right side of the front. The pitched roof is covered in corrugated iron. The veranda, added in 1886, also has a corrugated iron room and is supported by square posts with decorative tops. It shelters three sides of the building. The edge of the veranda is decorated with scalloped shapes along the front and left side of the building. On the right is a brick wall incorporating a chimney. Another chimney on the left is contained within the building. The four-panelled outside doors are visible in some of the photos, as are the 12-paned glass windows, which are framed in contrasting stone. The veranda is trimmed with scalloped metal work on two sides and had some enclosed corners. There appears to be a cubical water tank on the roof line. Out-buildings include a toilet built against the house's brick wall. Another building appears to have two rooms with outside doors, perhaps for workers. There is the remains of a two-wheeled cart under a shelter. GLENAMPLE & the LOCH ARD Glenample Homestead became famous after the disastrous wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard on June 1, 1878. The owners, Hugh Hamilton Gibson and Peter McArthur, were involved in the rescue and recovery of the only two survivors, as well as overseeing the salvage of items from the shipwreck and the burial of those who lost their lives. Glenample Homestead is on the Great Ocean Road at Princetown. Originally the land was part of Kennan’s Station lease, one of the district’s early settlements, circa 1847. James Murray bought Kerman’s land in 1856-57, combined it with nearby land, and named it Glenample Homestead. The ruins of huts Murray built on the property were still there until recently. Glenample was sold in 1866 to the partnership of Gibson and McArthur, who built a Georgian style house there using local sandstone, completing it by 1869. On 1st June 1878 the Loch Ard was wrecked at what is now called Loch Ard Gorge. Apprentice crewman Tom Pearce and eighteen year old passenger Eva Carmichael were the only survivors. Pearce had brought Eva ashore and sheltered her in a cave, reviving her with whiskey found amongst items washed up from the wreck. He climbed the cliffs and came across two riders from Glenample. No other survivors were found and sadly, Eva’s family members were amongst those who drowned. Hugh and Lavinia Gibson cared for Pearce and Eva at Glenample and extended their hospitality to Eva, who stayed on for about six weeks as she recovered from the ordeal physically and emotionally. Mrs Gibson introduced Eva to Jane Shields and the young ladies became lifelong friends. Years after Eva had returned to England, Jane’s daughter visited her. Eva handed her a blue china tea set to pass onto her mother as a gift. A descendant of Jane’s donated part of the tea set to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village while another descendant donated her inherited share of the tea set to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. In 1886 Glenample Homestead was updated to include a veranda on three sides. In 1887 Gibson sold his share to partner Peter McArthur. McArthur’s son Ernest inherited the property in 1897. Ernest established the Glenample Cheese Factory in around 1911. It was closed due to the World War and reopened in 1929 by McArthur’s sons, Robert and Colin, when they took control. In 1945 they sold Glenample and several owners followed but it was left unoccupied and became dilapidated. It was during this time that John Chance visited the property and photographed the buildings. In the 1980s the National Parks Service acquired the Glenample Homestead and began a restoration program. Work began in 1989 by Cathedral Stone, which was established in 1989 by James Charlwood, a specialist stonemason and son of maritime author Don Charlwood. This set of photographs are significant as a record of Glenample Homestead as it was from around the late 1860s to the late 1960s. The photographs are also significant as they were taken by John Chance, a diver from the wreck of the Loch Ard in the 1960s-70s. Items that come from several wrecks along Victoria's coast have since been donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s museum collection by his family, illustrating this item’s level of historical value. The photographs are significant as a link between Glenample, the vessel Loch Ard, and the only survivors of the Loch Ard. Glenample Homestead is of historical, social and architectural significance to the State of Victoria and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR H0392). It is a historical example of early settlement and development of a run in the coastal land of South West Victoria, and it is constructed from locally quarried sandstone but doesn’t take away from its Georgian design. Glenample Homestead is of State significance through its unique connection with the wreck of the ship Loch Ard and the connection to its owners, Hugh and Lavinia Gibson and Peter McArthur, played a historically and socially significant role in the rescue and care of the survivors, the salvage of goods and the burial of those who lost their lives. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard itself is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (S417). The set of ten rectangular black and white photographs of the Glenample Homestead, taken in the late 1960s or early 1970s, give san overview of the Glenample property. The views include the front, back and one side of the building, three outbuildings, and the situation of the homestead on the property. The details on the photographs show the materials used and the Colonial Georgian style. The photographs are also a record of the deterioration of the property over the years it was unoccupied.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, kennans station, glenample homestead, georgian homestead, loch ard, princetown, victoria, james murray, hugh hamilton gibson, lavinia gibson, jane shields, eva carmichael, tom pearce, blue china tea set, peter mcarthur, ernest mcarthur, robert mcarthur, colin mcarthur, glenample cheese factory, cathedral stone, don charlwood, james charlwood, antique door key, glenample photographs, john chance, victorian heritage database 392 -
Federation University Art Collection
Painting - Oil, et al, [The Green Vase] by David Strachan, c1948
David STRACHAN (1919–1970) Born 25 June 1919 at Salisbury, Wiltshire, England Arrived 1920 Adelaide, Australia: 1921 Creswick, Victoria David Strachan attended Creswick State School and Geelong Church of England Grammar school. By the age of 16 he wanted to be an artist. Accompanying his mother to London in 1936, he enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art, where he met Godfrey Miller. In 1937 he attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, Paris, and painted at Cassis on the Mediterranean Sea. He returned to Australia in April 1938 and studied at the George Bell School, Melbourne. He had a growing interest in classicism blended with a fascination for the dream-state which was reinforced in his work after he moved to Sydney in 1941. There he was befriended by Jean Bellette and her husband Paul Haefliger, who were to be driving forces behind the Sydney Art Group (founded 1945). He lived on the top floor of the Haefligers' house at Double Bay, and together the three artists drew from models whom the Haefligers hired. In this period Strachan painted and exhibited some of his most poetic works—mainly figurative and landscape subjects, and still-lifes of haunting beauty. His flowers, bowls of fruit, birds, and angelic figures glimmered out of the darkness as things not of this world, evoked faintly, like mythological personages in a gently spoken narrative. He 'spent an erratic war' painting camouflage at Bankstown aerodrome with other artists, among them (Sir) William Dobell, and dancing minor roles with Hélène Kirsova's ballet company. In 1948 Strachan settled in Paris. His paintings, included by Peter Bellew in an exhibition at the Musée National d'Art Moderne, had been well-received by French critics two years earlier. In 1950 he began tentative experiments in etching. These led to the formation of the Stramur-Presse, a business venture which published etchings and lithographs of leading French and English artists. His most important project was a series of twenty-two colour etchings illustrating Alister Kershaw's book of poems, Accent & Hazard (Paris, 1951). Strachan continued to exhibit in Australia and maintained a lively social life with Australian friends. From Paris, he went for weekend painting trips with Moya Dyring in her car and, after 1957, visited the Haefligers on Majorca. He lived in London in 1955-57. His paintings became progressively less soft in effect, his palette brightened, and his forms, especially the still-lifes, became spikier. In the late 1950s his attention drifted towards the study of Hindu philosophers and Jungian psychology. For most of 1957-58 he was enrolled at the C. G. Jung-Institut, Zürich, Switzerland. In 1959 he worked in Silvio Daneo's silkworm factory at Bricherasio, Italy. In May 1960 Strachan returned to Sydney. He lived at Woolloomooloo before buying a house at Paddington in 1963. Over the ensuing years he involved himself energetically with the art scene, exhibiting, teaching (1960-65) at East Sydney Technical College, fund-raising for memorials for Thea Proctor and Dyring, and as the last president (1965) of the Society of Artists. His paintings were out of harmony with the prevailing fashion for abstraction, but he won the Wynne prize for landscape painting in 1961 and 1964 (shared). Perhaps the most moving works of Strachan's last ten years were the mining landscapes, including those he painted near Hill End, leading up to his vast canvas, 'Lewers Freehold Mine'. This was a history picture, depicting the mine as it might have appeared in 1874. He presented it to the Creswick Historical Museum in 1970 in memory of his father. (Barry Pearce, 'Strachan, David Edgar (1919–1970)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/strachan-david-edgar-11786/text21083, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 6 January 2016.) This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed still lifefeaturing fruit and flowers.art, artwork, strachan, david strachan, still life, flowers, flora, available -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Marguerite Marshall, Jesse Tree playing the Didgeridoo and Swiss Hang Drum at St Andrews Market, 29 March 2008
Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p175 It’s Saturday morning and thousands of people are visiting St Andrews Market at the corner of Heidelberg-Kinglake Road and Proctor Street. It’s hard to find a park. Cars are banked up along the narrow road and crammed in a nearby parking area. Yet, at the market, people look relaxed and happy amongst the yellow box gums on the site where the Wurundjeri people used to gather. Stone artefacts unearthed there by Koorie researcher, Isabel Ellender, indicate the site was once a Wurundjeri meeting place, according to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.1 Acoustic sounds mingle with quiet conversations. A guitarist blows a mouth organ while his bare toes tickle chimes. A tiny busker, perhaps five years old, plays a violin while sounds of a harp emerge from the hall. One stallholder, selling delicious-looking pastries, chats to another in Spanish, then to me in broad Australian. ‘I was born in Fitzroy but my mother came from Mexico and my dad from Serbia,’ she smiles. A New Zealander fell in love with Mongolia and now imports their hand-made embroidered clothes and Yurts (tents) and runs adventure tours. A young woman visited Morocco and when friends admired the shoes she bought, she decided to import them and sell them at the market. Oxfam sells Fair Trade toys and clothes and displays a petition to Make Poverty History. Other stalls sell Himalayan salt, jewellery made from seeds from northern Australia, glass paper-weights from China as well as locally grown vegetables, flowers and organic freshly baked bread. A woman sits in a state of bliss under the hands of a masseur. Another offers Reiki or spiritual healing. A juggler tosses devil sticks – ‘not really about the devil,’ he smiles. This skill was practised thousands of years ago in Egypt and South America he says. At the Chai Tent people lounge on cushions in leisurely conversation. The idea for the market was first mooted among friends over a meal at the home of famous jazz and gospel singer Judy Jacques.2 Jacques remembers a discussion with several local artists including Marlene Pugh, Eric Beach, Les Kossatz, Ray Newell and Peter Wallace. ‘We decided we wanted a meeting place, where all the different factions of locals could meet on common ground, sell their goodies and get to know one another,’ Jacques recalls. They chose the site opposite another meeting place, St Andrews Pub. A week later Jacques rode her horse around the district and encouraged her neighbours to come along to the site to buy or sell. On February 23, 1973, about 20 stallholders arrived with tables. They traded ‘second-hand clothes, vegetables, meat, cheese, eggs, chickens, goats, scones, tea, garden pots and peacock feathers’. Now around 2000 people visit each Saturday. People usually linger until dusk. The market – with around 150 stalls of wares from a wide variety of cultures – stands alongside Montsalvat as the most popular tourist attraction in Nillumbik. By the 1990s St Andrews Market was in danger of being loved to death, as the site was becoming seriously degraded. The market was spreading in all directions and the degradation with it. A local council arborist’s report in 1994 noted exposed tree roots from erosion and compaction. The Department of Sustainability and Environment threatened to close the market if the degradation was not rectified. After many months of research, discussions and lobbying by a few residents, the council formed a Committee of Management, with an Advisory Committee, and introduced an Environment Levy. The State Government, the council and the market, funded terracing of the site to stop erosion, and retain moisture and nutrients. Vehicles were excluded from some sensitive areas and other crucial zones reserved for re-vegetation. Volunteers planted more than 3000 locally grown indigenous species. The old Yellow Box trees fully recovered and are expected to give shade for many years to come.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, didgeridoo, jesse tree, st andrews market, swiss hang drum -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Lester Neil Ingram with his Morris Ten Series II delivery van, c.1942
The van is a Morris Ten Series II which was manufactured 1935-1937. The numeral only Victorian Registration plate 112-984 was part of the sequence of numeral only plates issued 1910-1939. Lester Neil Ingram was born at Kew, 8 November 1911, the son of John and Ada (Key) Ingram of Research. According to Electoral Roll records, in 1903, John Ingram was a farmer at Lancefield, his wife Ada, a milliner. By 1906, John Ingram was a baker at Research and from about 1912, an orchardist. The family moved to Anglesea River sometime between 1937 and 1942. A sheet metal worker by trade, Lester had run the bakery business for 14 years, his father retired, and was working as a baker at Anglesea when he enlisted in the R.A.A.F. on 5 December 1941 at Melbourne. Previously he had worked as a baker at Research (1937). He undertook training as Aircrew at No. 4 Initial Training School at Victor Harbour, South Australia, followed by No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School at Ballarat, Victoria, and No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale, Victoria. On October 15, 1942 Lester qualified as an Air Gunner, promoted to Sergeant, and was posted to 1 Embarkation Depot at Ascot Vale, Victoria, and attached to R.A.F. UK. Lester embarked from Australia December 2, 1942 and arrived at 11 Personnel Despatch and Reception Depot on January 13, 1943. On March 9 he was transferred to 10 Operational Training Unit, Group No. 91, Bomber Command, R.A.F. Lester’s service file reveals that on the evening of 22 April 1943, Lester was a member of the aircrew of Whitley V bomber, N.1374. The airframe had run 1,127 hours. A full moon was just rising. The flight was non-operational, its purpose a dual conversion on type mission flown by a student pilot with almost two hours completed at night on similar flights. They had just changed aircraft as their previous aircraft had become unserviceable. The pilot had accepted the aircraft, which was technically unserviceable as the NCO in charge of flight had not completed the inspection paperwork correctly. The aircraft had undergone a major engine repair the day before. The aircraft took off at 2348 hours from R.A.F. Abington. It was reported that the aircraft take-off was quite normal and after climbing to 800 feet it passed out of view of the ground observers. A few seconds later the aircraft crashed, and it was reported that the sound of the engines seemed to become desynchronised. The crash occurred one and a half miles northwest of Longworth, Berkshire and the aircraft destroyed by fire. It carried a crew of five. Lester is commemorated on the Eltham Roll of Honour Board, which was commissioned by the Eltham War Memorial Trust to be hung in the Eltham Infant Welfare Centre, part of complex of buildings that form the Eltham War Memorial. The Honour Roll is presently (2023) hanging in the Eltham Library Community Gallery space. Lester was remembered with the following notices published in The Argus newspaper, Saturday 22 April 1944, p2: INGRAM. —In treasured memories you are with me still. Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, killed, aircraft accident, England, April 22, 1943. (Mother and father.) INGRAM. —In proud and ever loving memory of Lester, 410236, Sgt. L. N. Ingram, R.A.A.F., air crash England, April 22, 1943. —Per ardua ad astra. (Ellen Peake and family.) [“Per ardua ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity to the stars” or “through struggle to the stars” which was the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force.] And from his fiancé Ellen, in The Argus, Wednesday, 5 May 1943, p2: INGRAM. —On April 22 (result of aircraft accident near Lodgeworth Village, Berks, England), Sgt. Lester Neil Ingram, R.A.A.F., fiance of Ellen. -Treasured memories till we meet again. Lester is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom, Grave 4. 1. 11. INGRAM, Flt. Sgt. LESTER NEIL, 410236. R.A.A.F. 22nd April 1943. Age 31. Son of John and Ada Ingram, of Anglesea, Victoria, Australia. He gave his life For freedom’s cause ◊ ◊ ◊ LEST WE FORGET “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”On reverse "Lester Ingram"112-984 (victorian registration), lester neil ingram, morris ten series ii, bakery, delivery van, pam thoonen (nee ingram) collection -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Ceramic - Teacup, 1920s
This teacup is part of a four-piece place setting, comprising a teacup, saucer and plates, from a tea set. The tea set was given by Eva Carmichael, a survivor of the ship Loch Ard which was wrecked near Port Campbell in 1878, to Jane Shields, the young woman who supported Eva during her recovery from the ordeal. Ms Shields was Eva’s close companion while she was convalescing at Glenample Homestead. The friendship between the two women continued after Eva Carmichael returned to her home in Britain, became Mrs Townsend, and had three sons. Jane Shields also married, becoming Mrs John Osborne and bearing four daughters and two sons. In 1926-27, almost forty-eight years after the shipwreck, one of Jane’s daughters (Ella Marie Schulby nee Osborne) visited Eva in England. Eva gave her the tea set to take back home to her mother. Jane died in 1932 and her tea set was inherited by her daughters, who divided it between themselves, a four-piece place setting for each of them. A brief history of the Loch Ard: - The Loch Ard was named after a Scottish lake. It was one of the famous Loch Line of ships that sailed the long voyage from England to Australia. Barclay, Curdle and Co. built the three-masted iron ship in Glasgow in 1873. It had sailed three trips to Australia and one trip to Calcutta before its fateful voyage. Loch Ard left England on March 2, 1878, under the command of recently married, 29-year-old Captain Gibbs, bound for Melbourne with a crew of 37, plus 17 passengers. The general cargo reflected the affluence of Melbourne at the time. Onboard were straw hats, umbrellas, perfumes, clay pipes, pianos, clocks, confectionery, linen and candles, and a heavier load of railway irons, cement, lead and copper. Other cargo included items intended for display in the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880. The Loch Ard had been sailing for three months and was close to its destination. At 3 am on June 1, 1878, Captain Gibbs expected to see land, but the Loch Ard ran into a fog that greatly reduced visibility. Captain Gibbs became anxious as there was no sign of land or the Cape Otway lighthouse. The fog lifted at 4 am. A lookout announced that he could see breakers. The sheer cliffs of Victoria's west coast came into view; the ship was much closer to them than Captain Gibbs expected. It was not long before the Loch Ard's bow swung towards land. Although the Captain tried to manage the vessel, his attempts didn’t work and the ship struck a reef at the base of Mutton Bird Island, near Port Campbell. The top deck became loosened from the hull, and the masts and rigging crashed down, knocking passengers and crew overboard. The lifeboat was launched by Tom Pearce but crashed into the side of Loch Ard and capsized. Tom Pearce managed to cling to the lifeboat’s overturned hull and shelter beneath it. He drifted out to sea and the tide brought him back to what is now called Loch Ard Gorge. He swam to shore and found a cave for shelter. A passenger, Eva Carmichael, had raced onto the deck to find out what was happening and was confronted by towering cliffs above the ship. She was soon swept off the ship by a huge wave. Eva saw Tom Pearce on a small rocky beach and yelled to attract his attention. He swam to the exhausted woman and dragged her to shore and to the shelter of the cave. He revived Eva with a bottle of brandy from a case that had washed up on the beach. Tom scaled a cliff in search of help and followed some horse hoof prints. He came from two men from Glenample Station, three and a half miles away. He told the men of the tragedy and then returned to the gorge while the two men rode back to the station to get help. They reached Loch Ard Gorge and took the two shipwreck survivors to Glenample Station to recover. Eva stayed at the station for six weeks before returning to Ireland by steamship. In Melbourne, Tom Pearce received a hero's welcome and was presented with a medal and some money. Of the 54 crew members and passengers on board, only two survived: the apprentice, Tom Pearce and the young woman passenger, Eva Carmichael, who lost her family in the tragedy.This blue china tea set, comprising a teacup, saucer and two plates, is of high significance as it is closely connected to the wreck of the Loch Ard, and to one of only two survivors, Eva Carmichael. Memorabilia connected to Eva Carmichael are precious and rare. The Loch Ard shipwreck is significant for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulations of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The group gives a snapshot of history, enabling us to interpret the story of this tragic event and the lives of the people involved. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allow us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. The collection's historical significance is that it is associated unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.The teacup is part of a china tea set place setting, which comprises the teacup, a saucer and two plates of slightly different sizes. The cup is a royal blue outer, white inside with gold lip, a gold ring around the base and a gold handle. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, china tea set, tea set, royal blue china, tom pearce, eva carmichael, jane shields, glenample, loch ard, place setting, teacup -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Edna Barrie, 1920, 1924, 1933 and 1940
SUMMARY - Edna (Myers) Barrie, 1918 – 2018, Profile Early Life Edna was born at Melton and delivered by Hannah Watts. Her mother Martha walked in the dark at night with her basket under her arm to the bridge over the Toolern Creek Bridge and into Sherwin Street to the corner of Yuille Street to Hannah’s house Lynch Cottage. Martha’s husband was away shearing and eventually heard the news of the birth of their blue eyed third child and second daughter. She was born into a family that was surrounded by music; her father played the “squeeze box” and mother the mouth organ. From an early age the family were aware of the great composers, a framed picture of Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Wagner hung above the door to the lounge room of their 4 roomed cottage, the room where the piano stood. Her life on stage started as a singer aged 6 years at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall. Edna was born with a natural ear for music learning piano and singing from her older sister Marjorie who became an accomplished pianist and soloist and renowned music teacher in Melton and district. In the 1920s and 1930s concerts at the Melton Mechanics Institute were regular events were the local talent was fostered. The Myers children, like other children of Melton and Rockbank, studied singing, piano and elocution, sat examinations, entered in competitions in South Street Ballarat, Footscray and Melbourne. In 1929 a Sacred Concert was broadcast by 3AR from the Hall as part of the Back to Melton Celebrations. Marjorie Myers performed two of the items on the piano. Edna attended Melton State School 430 from 1924 – 1933. Her father Fred had also attended the same school. In 1924 the School staged Cinderella at the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall with a cast of 33 students. After completing her education a Melton she boarded in South Melbourne and attending Melbourne Girls High School (MacRobertson Girls High School), a school which recognized her musical attributes. She travelled home on the train on the weekends, sometimes getting off at Rockbank to save a few pennies in fares. Working life The early 1930s the Depression was a difficult time for a young woman to find work. Jobs were often menial and given to the youngest and therefore cheapest applicant. She worked as sales assistant at Polonskis and Myer in the city, and Irvines Modes in Footscray. Working to 1pm on Saturday, and when held up by a customer meant missing the train home. While at Myer Department store she lived at home and rode her bike to the Melton railway station. On one occasion she had a nasty fall when a part of her bicycle came loose causing the bike to crash rendering her concussed and injuring her nose. During the 1930s she was given a camera “a little snap” by Mrs Kelly her landlady. This began her interest in photography documenting family life at their “Burnbank” home. Musically, while at Myers she participated in annual performances held at The Kings Hall and the Myer Mural Hall. Working in the basement at Myers she was often embarrassed when her name was called, customers assuming she belonged to the Myer Family. Ken Myer worked in the basement at the same time handling the ‘Wheeler’, a wicker basket used for moving goods around the store. The family philosophy was for the children to start at the bottom and work their way up. Social life Social life in her teenage years was connected also with Scots Presbyterian Church. She attended Sunday School classes and received book prizes for attendance. She loved to read and welcomed the times when she received new book. She took part in the Sunday School Anniversaries and was presented with a Bible from the Superintendent, Henry Robinson for her assistance with the music. Marriage and War years In 1941 Edna married Ernest “Bonnie” Barrie. War in the Pacific was soon to break out. While in Sydney on their honeymoon they met up with Jim Barrie who was on his way to Canada via Hawaii just missing Pearl Harbour by two days. Jim became a Spitfire Pilot and joined the RAF and was based in England. He returned to Australia later in RAAF to fight the Japanese off the coast of New Guinea. The three eldest Barrie brothers were farmers and food producers and were thus except from military service. Edna and Bon were members of the VAOC- Volunteer Air Observers Corp entailing being rostered on duty as plane spotters. The women took shifts during the day and the men at night which involved staying overnight in the Shire Offices. Later the spotting tower was built in the plantation opposite the Post Office. Edna and Bon carried on with this from their home in Ferris Rd when the threat of invasion had ceased Community life Community life in Melton revolved around fund raising events for the Melton Mechanics Institute for the War effort and keeping up with maintenance for the Hall. In 1944 the Minister for Health gave approval for the Shire of Melton to open and Infant Welfare Centre inviting Edna to form part of the Committee with seven other women. In 1948 she was President of Melton Branch of the Victorian Health Centres Association. She volunteered this use of her car driving the person in charge, Sister Smith to visit mothers and their babies. In 1963, along with Betty Jones and Isabel Snell, Edna was instrumental in forming the 1st Melton Cub Pack and later supported the formation of the 1st Melton Scouts. During 1963 – 1968 she completed the Australian Boy Scout Association Cub Pack Preliminary Training and achieved her Wood Badge. Country Women’s Association In 1944-1996 she was a member of the Melton Branch Country Women’s Association (CWA), Melton Branch, Secretary of the Branch in 1945 – 1946 and Branch International Secretary 1970-1971. She worked with choir, music and drama interest groups within the branch attaining both first and second place in 1959, second place in 1952 Exhibition and second in Music in 1960 in the state. She was involved in their handicraft craft events, fund raising and musical events and singing competitions. During the 1950s she trained Trios and Quartets in part singing for the CWA competitions in Ballarat and Melbourne. It was at this time that she developed her skill as a conductor and trainer of choirs. She later auditioned for the Victorian Choir for alto parts believing she would stand a better chance of being chosen, because of her ability to sing in natural harmony. In 1962 she participated in the Tenth Australian Country Women of the World (ACWW) Triennial Conference “Australia Presents: CWA Massed Choir” in the Melbourne Town Hall. This event was recorded by Super Sound Spotlight on 45 extended play vinyl record. The songs were Australian music and words, for example The Silver Stars are in the Sky, The Graceful Swaying Wattle and Kookaburra. Edna continued with her interest in the Victorian Choir regularly meeting at the CWA Headquarters in Toorak for rehearsals. In 1974 she took part in the Australian Choir at the fourteenth Triennial conference of the ACWW Interfaith Service held at the Perth Concert Hall on the 13th of October. Arts and Culture Edna was also in the Choir of 3KZ Carols by Candlelight at the Myer Music Bowl in 1963 and 1964. Melton Choral Society. Edna was Director and Conductor in the 1970s performing at many community events such as Carols by Candle Light, Church Services, Easter and Palm Sunday services, Mothers Union and the 1976 Community Services Week Combined Church Service. The October – November 1978 Program covered the following: songs from the Musicals, Choral and Solo with Narratives, Guest Instrumental Item, Recitation Negro Spirituals and Australian Songs. Her involvement with church choirs included the Scots Presbyterian Church Choir Easter and Christmas performances and the 1967 Centenary Service. In 1980s the Melton Uniting Church Sacred Music Performances included The Crucifixion by Stainer, The Olivet to Calvary and other church Hymns. Edna was Musical Director of the Melton Amateur Theatrical Society and worked on performances in collaboration with Mabel Rogers on script and musical interpretation. Melton and District Historical Society Annual Art and Craft Show. First held in Melton Mechanics Institute Hall in 1973, it later took place in the in the Melton Community Hall. The Art Show was also run in conjunction with other community organizations such as Rotary and Girl Guides. Community history and research Melton streetscape and society Over 20 years commencing in the 1970s, Edna undertook extensive photographing of the changing streetscape of Melton’s High Street. She anticipated the impact of change on the community during the time of Melton’s rapid transition from a small farming district to a large urban community and this led to her extensively document and photograph many of the structures and landscape features of the township that have since been lost. She also meticulously recorded much of the contemporary life of the town and has left a significant legacy of archival material. Melton State School 100 Years Celebration, October 1970 Co-author with Mabel Rogers “The First 100 Years, 1870 – 1970” Assembled a collection of School Class Photograph and identified and compiled lists of names for future school history. She also assembled a photographic display for the 125th anniversary in 1995. Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS) Foundation Member, 1968 Held President and Secretary positions from its inception Research associated with the classification of Heritage buildings Christ Church Classification C Scots’ Presbyterian Church Classification D Set up the storage and Catalogue system in the Office at the Willows Organised society visits to Heritage sites in and beyond the Shire of Melton, including Stathtulloh, Eynesbury, Deanside, ToolernVale sites including Merrywood (now demolished) Staughton Vale, Chirnside, Point Cook, Shwerkolts Cottage. 1970 – 1983 Melton and District Historical Society Letterhead. Staughton Memorial Light from early newspaper cutting in its location before restoration to present location. Sketch by Wendy Barrie. Designing and printing pamphlets, stationery, and other sale items with Willows title. M&DHS street naming research for new housing developments (1970 – 2000). Collaborated with Mary Tolhurst to research the names of early landowners and pioneer families connected to the first settlers. Researched Aboriginal names for inclusion on lists submitted to developers. An early example is the naming of Kuranjang and the street names associated with the McPherson family. Plains of Promise (Shire of Melton history) by Joan Starr (1985). Edna assisted with Historical Society materials and contributed her own research and photographs. Contacted and organised for Hubert Opperman to launch the book. (She was also present at his last bike ride at Rochester in 1995.) Western Metropolitan Groups of Historical Societies. Member attending meetings and representing Melton, also hosted the Group at Melton The Willows Member of the Committee of Management for the restoration of the “Willows” house the establishment of The Willows Park 1982 March - Official Opening of the Willows Park- Preparation and planning for the event. Involved in the collecting of items in the furnishing of the display rooms in the Willows house. Donated items and furniture from the Myers and Daley family houses. (19th century) Machinery Shed Establishment. Involved with Jeff Robinson in the construction and collection of machinery display Other significant sites Championed and participated in the restoration and preservation significant sites in Melton, including: restoration of the Staughton Memorial Light and its return to its present site restoration of the Pykes Grave (using EW Barrie earthmoving equipment) restoration and reconstruction of Dunvegan restoration and reconstruction of Macs Cottage, the management and Caretakers residence Melton State School War Memorial Gates removed from Unitt Street entrance and relocated to the Willows Park Donated the Barrie family single furrow plough which was standing at the Court House Plaza. It removed and to Council Depot and later missing. The plaque was taken to the Willows. Jimmy Melrose (aviator) cairn restoration at crash site in Melton South Donald Mackintosh (Olympic gold medallist marksman) grave site at the Melton Cemetery (Historical items held by the Myers family collection.) Houdini first flight at Diggers Rest. Edna’s father was shearing at Diggers Rest at the time and witnessed the flight. She attended the 90 year anniversary of the event at the site in 2000. Radio and electronics Edna’s husband Bon interest in wireless communication dates in the 1920s with the building of a crystal set in the early days of public broadcasting. At the Back to Melton Celebrations in 1929, 3AR broadcast a concert from the Melton Mechanics Institute on the 20th February at 8pm featuring Footscray City Band, James Hill baritone, Vera Carew Soprano, James Foran Tenor, Marjorie Myers Piano, and James Williamson Entertainer. Accompanists: Miss Agnes Ross and Mrs James Hill. The Myers children had recordings of their piano playing made onto the aluminium records, Martha Myers’ voice can be heard introducing an item. These were made in a studio in Melbourne. Marjorie was given a upright Gramophone by Donald Mackintosh in recognition of her talent and her contribution to the cultural life of Melton. The family were then able to listen to 78rpm recordings of the famous classical recordings. The turntable was hand wound metal stylus needles had to be regularly replaced. The aluminium disk needed a bamboo needle to prevent damage to the surface. Before electricity was introduced to Melton in 1939 the Mechanics Hall relied on generators to produce electricity. Bon Barrie, being mechanically minded, built a public address system for be used a community functions at the Hall and Recreational Park. By 1939 this was up and running and used for over three decades. A large Collection of 78rpm records provided music for dances, marching, parades and any public event needing music and microphones. The early system was portable and worked on batteries. CFA Radio Communication In the 1950s with the introduction two-way HF and later VHF very high frequency radio sets. Melton Rural Fire Brigade was part of the Bacchus Marsh Group. Radio sets where located in the Melton Fire Truck, and in the house of the Barrie family at Ferris Road. This was an ideal location to observe a 360 degree view in all directions when smoke appeared on the horizon. An antenna was erected beside the house. The set OX 7 was located in the kitchen and monitored 24 hours by the family. When an electrical fire occurred at the junction of the electricity to the house there was time to radio the fire station and summons the men working in the paddocks, thus saving the house from possible destruction. With the introduction of UHF – ultra high frequency Vinten Radios the signal was clearer and static and interference lessened and radio traffic became easier to read, and reduced noise levels in the household. VL3 LY Radio Base became the Group Headquarters was established in 1967. By 1970 the Brigades were: Melton, Rockbank, Sydenham, Toolern Vale, Diggers Rest, Truganina, and Werribee. In 1974 when the family moved to First Avenue, another antenna and a small building were erected adjacent to the residence and used to house the equipment, maps. Radio traffic consisted of regular schedule times and communication with adjoining groups of brigades such as Bacchus Marsh, Mt Macedon and Little River Groups. Many of the brigade and group base radios were situated in private residences and operated primarily by fire fighters wives who held the position of Communications Officer, either registered as a brigade member or informally. Edna was never registered as an operational brigade member but operated informally as an assistant to her husband Bon. She was however a member of the Melton Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary from its inception in 1968, a non-operational position. Edna kept up to date with radio procedure following the 1967 handbook; preparing maps, plotting compass points and taking notes on weather forecasts from the SA Border and Western District. Daily notes were taken in anticipation of fire warnings. These log books and daily radio traffic were incidental to the regular radio schedules. Emergency turnouts noted, burning off times and predicted location of smoke. In the summer fire season all TBF (total fire ban days were recorded.) In times of emergency the Barrie family assisted Bon the base radio operator to plot the position and location of fire trucks and to help clarify garbled radio traffic, keep notes and make telephone calls. These log books are held in the EE and EW Family Archive. Melton Uniting Church Edna founded the Church Opportunity with Maisie Robinson in 1975 in the Melton South Methodist Church building. Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of Melton had combined severing their long held connection with Bacchus Marsh. A Manse had been recently built for the Melton Minister. At a Parish Committee meeting at the Melton South Church it was suggested to use the building as an Opportunity Shop. It opened in July 1975, and it raised $1,600 contribution to the church budget in 1976. In 1977 The Uniting Church in Australia was formed and the Melton South Uniting Church Opportunity shop continued to go from strength to strength expanding the buildings providing the welfare needs of the community. Archive Set up by Edna Catalogued items dating from 1857 Minute Book and set ongoing system and storage of items of heritage. Melton Un Awards and recognition of service to the Melton community Rotary Award for Community Service, 1980 Victoria 150th Anniversary Celebrations contributions, 1985 Life Membership of the Melton and District Historical Society (M&DHS), 1989 Extra-Ordinary Contribution for years of service to M&DHS, 1992 Long Service for Exceptional Service MD&HS, 1993 Royal Historical Society of Victoria Award of Merit, 1997 Shire of Melton Certificate of Appreciation for continued support and dedication as a member of MD&HS to the preservation of Melton’s History, 1998 Centenary of Federation Peoplescape (Canberra) Melton Shire nomination, 2001 Uniting Church Melton Life Membership of the Opportunity Shop Uniting Church in Australia Commission for Mission for 30 years of hard work and dedications to the Uniting Church, 2007 Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Certificate appreciation in recognition of valuable support through the “Sammy” Stamp Fund Neighbourhood Watch 5 year award Photographs of Edna at different ageslocal identities -
Melton City Libraries
Photograph, Charles Ernest and Jessie Barrie with family, Unknown
This document is has been compiled by Wendy Barrie daughter of Ernest (Bon) and Edna Barrie and granddaughter of Charles E and Jessie M Barrie. I was born in during WW 11 and the first child of my generation to live on the ‘ Darlingsford’ property at Melton. My grandfather was well known in the district and was mostly referred to as Ernie. He shared the same initials as his second son Edgar. His three eldest sons lived and farmed in Melton for their entire lives. His descendants are still associated with farming, engineering and earthmoving in Melton. Ernie Barrie operated a travelling Chaff Cutter in the St Arnaud area where his parents William and Mary Ann had taken up land at Coonooer West in 1873. Ernie commenced his working life with a team of bullocks and a chaff cutter. The earliest connection he had with Melton was in 1887. By the beginning of the 20th century Ernie and his father William and brothers, William, Samuel, James Edwin,[Ted] Robert, Arthur and Albert have been associated with farming and milling in the Melton district. In the early 1900’s Ernie and his brother Ted were in partnership in a Chaff cutting and Hay processing Mill on the corner of Station and Brooklyn road Melton South. The mill was managed by William for a time. By 1906 Charles Ernest and James Edwin were in partnership in the Station Road mill when a connecting rail line across Brooklyn Road for a siding was constructed to the Melton Railway Station. In 1911 the Mill’s letterhead shows C.E. BARRIE Hay Pressing and Chaff Cutting Mills. Melton Railway Station. Telephone No 1 Melton. This Mill as sold to H S K Ward in 1916 and stood until 1977 when it burnt down in a spectacular fire. Ernie built a house at Melton South beside the Chaff Mill at Station Road in 1906 and married Jessie May Lang in August at the Methodist Church. Jessie’s father was Thomas Lang. He came to Melton in 1896 and was the Head Teacher at Melton State School No 430 until he retired in 1917. They had 9 children with 8 surviving to adulthood. Jessie and Ernie had 6 sons and 3 daughters. All the children lived at Darlingsford. In April 1910 the family left Melton for a brief period and moved to a farm in Trundle in NSW. They returned to Melton and purchased Darlingsford in May 1911. For a time during WW1 they lived at Moonee Ponds near the Lang grandparents at Ascot Vale. Mary and Bon attended Bank St State School. The children developed diphtheria in 1916 and their youngest boy, Cecil died of complications. Mary and Bon were taken to Fairfield Hospital and both recovered. At the end of the war influenza broke out the family returned to Darlingsford and shared the home for a short while with the Pearcey family who had been working the farm. By 1922 the family had and grown and Edgar, Tom, Horace, Jessie, Joyce and Jim were living a Darlingsford. Ernie continued during the 1920’s working the farm and attend his many civic and community commitments. Two 8 clydesdale horse teams were used to work the land which meant early rising for the horses to be fed and harnessed to commence the days work. In 1916 Ernie also became involved in a Chaff Mill on the corner of Sunshine and Geelong Road West Footscray, which at the time was being run by John Ralph Schutt. It was known an Schutt Barrie. A flour mill was added at a later stage. Other Schutt and Barrie mills were situated at Parwan and Diggers Rest. Another mill was situated beside the railway line at Rockbank. The Footscray mill ceased operation in 1968 Ernie spent a lot of time and energy at the Parwan Mill and travelling around Parwan and Balliang farms, where he came to know many of the families in the district. Ernies commitment to the civic development to the Melton and district was extensive, he was involved with a number of large events during the 1920’s such as the Melton Exhibitions and the 1929 Back to Melton Celebrations. He was a member of the Australian Natives Association at the turn of the century. He was Chairman of the School Committee at Melton State School 430 and the Melton South State School in thw1920s. He donated the land for a Hall for Melton South in 1909, known as Exford Hall and later in 1919 renamed Victoria Hall. The Hall was demolished in 1992. He was a Councillor, JP, and Vice President and President of the Melton Mechanics Institute Hall Committee in 1915- 1916. He was a member of the Methodist Church and later the Scots Presbyterian Church. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School of the Methodist Church to 1910 and later Scots Presbyterian Church until 1931. This is reflected in the theme of children in the stained glass window which was dedicated in his memory by his wife Jessie as a gift to the Scots Church. Charles Ernest Barrie made many generous donations to many charities who supported young people and children. In 1918 Jessie and Ernie made the first donation to a very prominent Victorian charity whose work still continues. Yooralla. In July 1931 Ernie’s untimely death was a major blow to the family and the Melton community. To this day people still vividly recall the day they lined the streets for his funeral. The day of the funeral is recalled as the day Melton stood as two of their prominent citizens who tragically died on the same day. Their eldest daughter Mary had married Keith Robinson in 1930 and had just moved to Heatherdale Toolern Vale with their year old baby son. Bon the eldest son was 22, Edgar 18, Tom 16, Horace 15, Jessie and Joyce 10 and Jim 8 years old. A heavy burden of responsibility fell on the shoulders of the two eldest children, Mary particularly for her mother and Bon stepped in assuming head of the family for his mother, brothers and sisters living at the Darlingsford homestead. In the early 1930’s the three eldest sons took on many of the Civic and Church commitments which their father had held. This community involvement extended well into the 1980s. In 1941 Bon married Edna Myers and they moved into a house shifted from Harkness Lane to Harkness Lane on the eastern section of the Darlingford property. Edgar married Margaret Hodgkinson a Primary school teacher at Melton in 1949 and they lived in the Darlingsford house. Earlier Tom married May Ferris and lived on the eastern side of Ferris Lane in the Ferris home. Bon , Edgar and Tom often operated as a team effort, in particular at harvest time when a larger team of workers was needed. The three farms cultivated wheat, barley and oats and supplied the Mill with sheafed hay. They continued using horse teams until mechanisation in the 1940’s made the horses redundant. By the 1960s their five sons continued with farming. Many loads of hay were transported to the Mill in Footscray. Well into the 1960s hired harvest hands along with agricultural university students were involved in bringing in he harvest. Stacking was an art form in itself and Tom held the expertise for building and shaping the sides and roof. The stacks built in the district each had their own unique shape and could be recognized by their builders. The Barrie brothers developed a mechanical fork lift for picking up complete stooks and moving them to be loaded to the elevator to build the haystack. The prototype built by Bill Gillespie was attached to a Bedford truck. Later refinements in a collaborative effort with the Gillespie brothers a multi pronged fork was attached to the front of tractor which was hydraulically operated to raise each stook onto trucks to be transported to the site of the haystacks. This method of handling sheaves significantly reduced laborious pitchforking individual sheaves. This invention was soon taken up by farmers far and wide and was a common sight in the district at harvest time in the stacking season. I recall visiting farmers calling in at the house at Ferris Road farm to inspect this break through invention. The Clydesdale horse teams were used into the 1940s but by the 1950s the Barries’ farms were fully mechanised. When the demand for sheafed hay declined other crops were introduced these included barley, lucerne, wheat and peas. Sheep were added to the mix in the 1950s in an attempt to keep the farms more viable. In the 1970s part of the Barrie’s farms were facing a major disruption with the impending compulsorily acquisition of a strip of land for the construction the freeway bypass, which divided access between the Darlingsford homestead with those on Ferris Lane. Charles Ernest Barrie and Jessie May Lang's children: 1. Mary Ena BARRIE was born on 07 October 1907. She died on 29 April 1999. 2. Ernest Wesley BARRIE was born on 29 April 1909 in Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia.He died on 25 December 1985 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 3. Cecil William BARRIE was born on 23 February 1911.He died on 25 May 1916. 4. Charles Edgar BARRIE was born on 01 June 1913.He died on 06 October 1975. 5. Thomas Lindsay BARRIE was born on 25 November 1914.He died on 14 September 1990 in Melton, Victoria, Australia. 6. William Horace BARRIE was born on 11 October 1915.He died on 19 December 1950. 7. Jessie Maud BARRIE was born on 06 November 1920 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She died on 26 February 1994. 8. Dorothy Joyce BARRIE was born on 06 November 1920 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.She died on 18 March 2003.. 9. James Edward BARRIE was born on 17 January 1922 in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia.He died on 23 August 2004Family Photo with Edgar, Tom, Mary, Ernest (Bon), Horace, Jim, Charles Ernest, Jessie and Joycelocal identities -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book, The watches of the trails
John Anning MacLeod John was born in Ballarat as the second generation of Ballarat MacLeod’s, with his grandfather arriving in Geelong on the Hornet in 1857 as an 11 year old child with his 60 year old father John and mother Mary aged 37 years and 5 brothers and one sister. He grew up on the corner of Drummond Street and Mair Streets, opposite what became St John of God hospital, at his parents house of Dunvegan. John entered Ballarat College as a junior student in 1923. He received 3rd in Form prizes in both 1924 and 1925. His sister Margaret, attended Clarendon Ladies College. The household employed a chauffeur, a cook, a gardener and a ladies maid to care for them. In the 1930’s his father lost his fortune in the collapse of the jute future’s market so the staff were dismissed and he left Ballarat to go to Geelong College as a boarder. He was an officer in the Geelong College cadet corps and joined the Army as a private and rose to the permanent rank of Major after meritorious performance in the intelligence area of operations. He served in North Africa, in Palestine, Egypt, Moratai, the Philippines, Java and New Guinea. He was awarded his Military MBE by King George VI for exceptional devotion to duty and for brilliant coordination work amongst the allied intelligence team. During the war he met Mary Monica Carrol Bateman, a lietenant in the 2/4th Army General Hospital at a dinner party in Brisbane. The couple had four children, Hamish John Torquil born in 1945, Rory Hugh Alexander born in 1947 and twins Ian Donald and Katriona Margaret born in 1948. After the Second World War he worked for Lumley’s Insurance Brokers in London for a couple of years to follow up his accountancy training and then returned to Ballarat due to his father’s failing health and took over the management of John MacLeod and Co, Wholesale grocers and Merchants in Lydiard Street, Ballarat. The business had been started by his great grandfather and they produced the famous Sirdar brand of products and a special tea blend called Afternoon Cup. There was a spice mill in nearby Market Street and there they roasted peanuts, coffee and ground spices for packaging and distribution to the small corner shops who were the mainstay of commercial grocery. In the 1950’s John MacLeod and Co merged with James McKay and Sons to form McKay MacLeod Pty Ltd., wholesale tobacco, wine and spirits and grocery merchants who also manufactured the Sunny South brand of sweet mustard pickles, brewed vinegar and tomato sauce. He introduced the semi-automated system for extensions and financial records on the Bradma plates that saved staff the problems of sorting out the calculations for sales tax, miscellaneous charges etc. that greatly sped up the transactions at the checkout points. A new warehouse and office complex was built in Mair Street east up near Humffray Street, with the manufacturing factory on the opposite side of the street. They had a shop in St Arnaud and one in Geelong which was the local wholesaler for supplying to the corner shops of the greater Geelong area. With the development of supermarkets the demise of the corner store began and so the sales profiles began to diminish. He unsuccessfully stood for Liberal Party pre-selection for the seat of Ballarat in 1948 and served on the Liberal state finance and executive team for many years before resigning over the issue of conscripts being sent to Vietnam. He was instrumental in leading a group of Ballarat academics in opposition to the Vietnam war and publicly resigned from the Liberal Party over their foreign policy. John MacLeod saw the writing on the wall of the business in the early 1970’s and suggested that the firm restructured with focusing on tobacco, wine and spirits. His partners did not agree and so he sold out and retired to Barwon Heads. After a few years of golfing and surfing he became frustrated and joined SCORE, the Service Corp of Retired Executives. In this role he worked for ten years in the Geelong area solving accounting problems for Geelong small businesses and so helped Beaumont’s bakery back onto its feet. He worked gentlemen’s hours of 10 am to 3 pm which allowed him to have time for a round of 9 holes on the golf course at the end of the day and to have a surf before breakfast. He fully retired at the age of 65 and had ten years of voluminous reading of local library books before dying of burns at the age of 75. His war record has been documented in other archives at the College. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club and of the Barwon Heads Golf Club. He had good crafting skills and built a series of steam driven boats for his four children that used to be sailed at home on Lake Wendouree, Lake Learmonth and on the sheltered waters of the Barwon River. The boats are now being restored to operational order to be sailed by his great grandson Grayson Girardi. Red cloth bound book with title printed in gold lettering on spine, embossed publisher's mark centre of front cover and school crest in gold relief on front cover; book plate inside front cover. Book plate inside front cover: School crest / Ballarat College / I form / 3rd in form Prize / Awarded to / J MacLeod / December 1924 A Richardson B A Principaljohn-macleod, ballarat-college, book-prize, 1924 -
Ballarat Clarendon College
Book, The school across the road
John Anning MacLeod John was born in Ballarat as the second generation of Ballarat MacLeod’s, with his grandfather arriving in Geelong on the Hornet in 1857 as an 11 year old child with his 60 year old father John and mother Mary aged 37 years and 5 brothers and one sister. He grew up on the corner of Drummond Street and Mair Streets, opposite what became St John of God hospital, at his parents house of Dunvegan. John entered Ballarat College as a junior student in 1923. He received 3rd in Form prizes in both 1924 and 1925. His sister Margaret, attended Clarendon Ladies College. The household employed a chauffeur, a cook, a gardener and a ladies maid to care for them. In the 1930’s his father lost his fortune in the collapse of the jute future’s market so the staff were dismissed and he left Ballarat to go to Geelong College as a boarder. He was an officer in the Geelong College cadet corps and joined the Army as a private and rose to the permanent rank of Major after meritorious performance in the intelligence area of operations. He served in North Africa, in Palestine, Egypt, Moratai, the Philippines, Java and New Guinea. He was awarded his Military MBE by King George VI for exceptional devotion to duty and for brilliant coordination work amongst the allied intelligence team. During the war he met Mary Monica Carrol Bateman, a lietenant in the 2/4th Army General Hospital at a dinner party in Brisbane. The couple had four children, Hamish John Torquil born in 1945, Rory Hugh Alexander born in 1947 and twins Ian Donald and Katriona Margaret born in 1948. After the Second World War he worked for Lumley’s Insurance Brokers in London for a couple of years to follow up his accountancy training and then returned to Ballarat due to his father’s failing health and took over the management of John MacLeod and Co, Wholesale grocers and Merchants in Lydiard Street, Ballarat. The business had been started by his great grandfather and they produced the famous Sirdar brand of products and a special tea blend called Afternoon Cup. There was a spice mill in nearby Market Street and there they roasted peanuts, coffee and ground spices for packaging and distribution to the small corner shops who were the mainstay of commercial grocery. In the 1950’s John MacLeod and Co merged with James McKay and Sons to form McKay MacLeod Pty Ltd., wholesale tobacco, wine and spirits and grocery merchants who also manufactured the Sunny South brand of sweet mustard pickles, brewed vinegar and tomato sauce. He introduced the semi-automated system for extensions and financial records on the Bradma plates that saved staff the problems of sorting out the calculations for sales tax, miscellaneous charges etc. that greatly sped up the transactions at the checkout points. A new warehouse and office complex was built in Mair Street east up near Humffray Street, with the manufacturing factory on the opposite side of the street. They had a shop in St Arnaud and one in Geelong which was the local wholesaler for supplying to the corner shops of the greater Geelong area. With the development of supermarkets the demise of the corner store began and so the sales profiles began to diminish. He unsuccessfully stood for Liberal Party pre-selection for the seat of Ballarat in 1948 and served on the Liberal state finance and executive team for many years before resigning over the issue of conscripts being sent to Vietnam. He was instrumental in leading a group of Ballarat academics in opposition to the Vietnam war and publicly resigned from the Liberal Party over their foreign policy. John MacLeod saw the writing on the wall of the business in the early 1970’s and suggested that the firm restructured with focusing on tobacco, wine and spirits. His partners did not agree and so he sold out and retired to Barwon Heads. After a few years of golfing and surfing he became frustrated and joined SCORE, the Service Corp of Retired Executives. In this role he worked for ten years in the Geelong area solving accounting problems for Geelong small businesses and so helped Beaumont’s bakery back onto its feet. He worked gentlemen’s hours of 10 am to 3 pm which allowed him to have time for a round of 9 holes on the golf course at the end of the day and to have a surf before breakfast. He fully retired at the age of 65 and had ten years of voluminous reading of local library books before dying of burns at the age of 75. His war record has been documented in other archives at the College. He was a member of the Naval and Military Club and of the Barwon Heads Golf Club. He had good crafting skills and built a series of steam driven boats for his four children that used to be sailed at home on Lake Wendouree, Lake Learmonth and on the sheltered waters of the Barwon River. The boats are now being restored to operational order to be sailed by his great grandson Grayson Girardi. john-macleod, ballarat-college, 1925, book-prize -
Sunshine and District Historical Society Incorporated
Photograph (1950), The Migrant Ship HELLENIC PRINCE, Copy 27/01/2014 - (Original Post Card circa 1950)
In 1949 the HELLENIC PRINCE with its 3 hospitals, 2 cinemas, and air conditioned accommodation was chartered by the International Refugee Organisation to transport displaced persons from Europe to Australia. Its first trip was to Sydney where it arrived with 1000 passengers on 5 December 1949. On the third trip it left Naples on 23 March 1950, and arrived in Fremantle on 20 April 1950, and in Melbourne on 25 April 1950. The men and women were separated for the voyage with my father sleeping on a hammock in a large room with other men, while my mother, my brother, and I had bunks in a shared cabin. On board were displaced persons ex Bagnoli Camp Italy, some of whom later built their bungalows on the grassy and rocky paddocks near Sunshine Victoria, and began to establish a new life in a new country. A few of the families that arrived on the third trip and purchased land in the Dunkeld Ave - Sandford Ave area of North Sunshine (Birmingham Estate) were Janczak, Kolanowicz, Mroz, Pawlak, Rasztabiga, Skrobalak, Szydlowski, Witkowski, and Zielinski. Some friends settled elsewhere in Sunshine. The family Tabaka went to West Sunshine just over the Derby Rd Bridge, while the family Wojcik went to Ardeer. The ship first started service in 1929 for the Royal Australian Navy as the HMAS ALBATROSS. It had a standard displacement of 4,800 tons and was 443 feet 7 inches (135.2 metres) long, and its top speed during trials reached 22 knots (41 km/hr). It was built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard as Australia's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes), but the aircraft that it was designed for were retired just before the ship went into service. A new plane specifically designed to work with the Albatross began operations after the ship was decommissioned in 1933, and placed into reserve in Sydney Harbour. Seaplanes continued to operate from the anchored ship. (Click on the Link 'HMAS Albatross (1)' situated above the Object Registration number to view pictures of the HMAS Albatross on the Navy web site). In 1938 the ship was recommissioned and transferred to the Royal Navy as part payment for the light cruiser Hobart. The ship then did military service for the Royal Navy during World War 2. It did patrol and escort duties in the southern Atlantic, and from mid 1942 in the Indian Ocean. By early 1944 the ship was converted so that it could repair landing craft and other support vessels off Sword and Juno beaches. The ship managed to return 132 craft into service and to save 79 others from total loss. On 11 August 1944 Albatross was torpedoed with the loss of either 50 or 66 personnel, but was able to be towed back to Portsmouth. After repairs she did a short service as a minesweeper depot ship, and following that was placed into reserve on 3 August 1945. In August 1946 the ship was sold for commercial use but the plans to convert it into a luxury liner or a floating cabaret fell through. The ship was again sold on 14 November 1948 to the British-Greek Yannoulatos Group, who renamed it HELLENIC PRINCE in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles and his Greek heritage. After conversion into a passenger ship the Hellenic Prince made several trips to Australia transporting displaced persons, however apparently not all trips were pleasant for the passengers. In the on board newsletter 'Kangaroo' dated 5 January 1951, the ship's master P. C. King expressed his indignation about the behaviour of passengers and made accusations of mutiny. According to some immigrants the conditions were appalling and overcrowded with 1200 passengers. Passengers were supposedly required to work and were paid with Woodbine cigarettes. The drinking water ran out, the freezer broke down, and fresh food that was brought on board went to the crew. Sea sickness was rife because the ship was rarely level due to malfunctioning pumps. (The newsletter 'Kangaroo' can be viewed at the Museum Victoria web site by clicking the Link 'Newsletter - Kangaroo'). In 1953 during the Mau Mau uprising the Hellenic Prince was used to transport troops to Kenya, and in 1954 the ship came to an end in a scrap yard at Hong Kong. THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS COMPILED FROM; (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Albatross_(1928) (accessed 11/2/2013), (2) An article by Graeme Andrews found at http://www.afloat.com.au/afloat-magazine/2011/july-2011/The_boat_people_of_the _forties_and_fifties#.UuYY6ou4apo (accessed 27/1/14), (3) http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/273166/newsletter-kangaroo-hellenic-prince-5-jan-1951 (accessed 27/1/14), (4) National Archive search starting at; www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/index.aspx (accessed 27/1/14), (5) http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/3864781978 (accessed 29/1/14). Hellenic Prince has a significance to Sunshine Victoria because some of the displaced people from Europe, who arrived in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1950, were among the first people to settle in the grassy and rocky paddock areas of North Sunshine. These settlers established a residential suburban area out of the paddocks. In those early days there were no services and the planned roads were basically just drawings on a map. The ship is also significant because it was named in recognition of the birth of Prince Charles. In the ship's former life as the HMAS Albatross the significance is that it was built in Australia as our country's first Aircraft Carrier (seaplanes).New photograph made from a scanned copy of a circa 1950 Post Card featuring the ship on calm water.Hellenic Prince / Hong Konghellenic prince, migrant ship, displaced persons, refugees, international refugee organisation, bagnoli camp, hmas albatross, yannoulatos group -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - Graydon and Richardson Families in Bendigo
Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.Digital Image. Copy of photograph of three of the four Graydon girls. Ada, Lizzie and Amelia Graydon. B&W photo of three women - two seated and one standing - Studio portrait.Lizzie (Elizabeth Constance 1863-1945) standing. Amelia (Amelia Amy 1865 - 1952) Seated on right. Ada (Ada Mary Maude 1867-1901) seated left.graydon girls., graydon collection, graydon richardson, james richardson grocer, bendigo history -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - GRAYDON COLLECTION: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.A selection of black and white Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photographers. All photos unnamed. Mounted as Cabinet cards. Photographers - D. Mendelfson, Bartlett Bros., The Studio - Chuck, Eden Society Studios, Alan Spicer, R. Bloomfield Rees,graydon, richardson, cabinet card -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - GRAYDON COLLECTION: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.Seventeen black and white Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photographers. All photos unnamed. Mounted as Cartes de Visite. Photographers - The Studio - Chuck, , M. Bent, F. de Kock and Co., N. White, Bartlett Bros., Chevalier.graydon, richardson, carte de visite -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Mixed media - GRAYDON COLLECTION: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS and NOTES (See ITEM 11411)
Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.DVD A selection of Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photographers, and family history notesphotograph, person, graydon and richardson families. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - GRAYDON COLLECTION: FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First came out to Victoria on the S.S. Almora, the same ship on which Eliza Richardson and her family arrived on New Years Day 1875. Evidently C.W.G.G.1st. must have retained fond memories of a young fourteen-year-old girl named Elizabeth Richardson who travelled from Scotland with her mother and family (her father had arrived earlier) because three years later at Kyneton they were married. It was December 26th 1860, and Elizabeth was just seventeen. As the bridegroom’s age is written as 24 years on the wedding certificate, he certainly must have been more than eighteen when he sailed on the "Almora" in 1856. The newly married couple went to live at Taradale, Victoria, and they made a good life for themselves in that town which had then a thriving gold mine. They lived in a large two-storied house in Survey Paddock, and it was there that four daughters - Susan Emily (1861-1906), Elizabeth Constance (1863-1945), Amelia Amy (1865 -1952, Ada Mary Maude (1867-1901), and one son Newenham Edward Eustace (1869-1945) named after his Irish Grandfather, were born. On his wedding certificate C.W.G. Graydon, is described as a foreman. His father-in-law, Robert Richardson was employed as a time-keeper on the Melbourne to Bendigo Railway works, and he and his family lived first in Prahran, then Kyneton, and then Taradale. Perhaps Charles Graydon worked on the railway with him. In Taradale however, he worked for a gold mining company in a surveying capacity. C.W.G.G.1st was to become Shire President of the Shire of Metcalfe. That particular year the Graydon Family entertained the visiting English cricket Eleven at their home in Taradale. He was certainly regarded as an important man in the district when he was requested by a great number of the residents to nominate for the Legislative Assembly election. About 1876 the Graydons left Taradale, and went to live at Sandhurst, now Bendigo, at Barkly Place East. The Richardsons had also left Taradale to go into the grocery business in the same town. Charles Wallace Gordon Graydon the First became a legal manager of mines, and a well-known and popular resident. Sad to say he became ill with a lung infection, and on June 4th. 1885 he died, and was buried at Sandhurst, now Bendigo Cemetery, Back Creek Rd. Eliza Richardson's brother was Mr. James Richardson, the well-known grocer, of Pall Mall and Golden-square, who died at his residence, "Balgownie," Short street, on Thursday 22 Jan 1914. James Richardson was a native of Scotland. He was born at Glasgow in1849 and was only eight years of age when his parents sailed for Australia in the ship Balmoral. The family arrived in Melbourne in 1857 and went to Taradale, where Mr. Richardson, senr., acted as inspector of works during the construction of the Taradale Viaduct. James Richardson, who had commenced his educationin Glasgow, attended school at Taradale until the family removed to Bendigo at the time the railway was being built from Bendigo to Echuca. The contractors for this work engaged Mr Richardson, senr., as their timekeeper. When he left school James Richardson applied himself to learn the grocery business, and he gained a thorough knowledge of it with different employers at Bendigo, Taradale, and Daylesford. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on his own account in High-Street, Bendigo, but within a few months he had the great misfortune to be burnt out. The fire originated in an adjoining building early one morning and both places were burnt to the ground. In spite of his loss, Mr. Richardson was not discouraged, for he soon made another start. His trade improved and he extended his business, opening the Eclipse Cash Store at Golden Square. A little later another branch was opened at the Oddfellows' Hall, and subsequently this business was transferred to the Eureka Cash Store, in Pall Mall, which was the head depot. In addition to the retail trade, Mr. Richardson had, for many years carried on an extensive wholesale business with the Northern District, and had made a specialty of fodder seeds. James was a man of probity and sincerity in business, and as a citizen he was highly esteemed and respected. He was a prominent member of the Bendigo Caledonian Society in the earlier days of his citizenship. He was a staunch member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and was a member of the board of management. In the Easter Fair procession, Mr Richardson's display was always a prominent and attractive one. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Masonic Order, and was a life member of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the old Mechanics Institute. He was married at Daylesford in 1871. Mr James Richardson was interred in the Presbyterian section of the Bendigo Cemetery.A selection of Graydon and Richardson family photographs taken by Bendigo photograpers. all photos unnamed.photograph, person, graydon and richardson families. -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - Digital Photograph, Alan King, Kangaroo Ground General Store, Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, 28 December 2007
The present store was built circa 1900 to replace another which had been destroyed by fire in 1898, which had replaced a predecessor on the opposite side of the road in 1865. The store was also used as a post office until early 2000s. The general store is historically significant because it has a long association with Kangaroo Ground and has been an important centre of community life for more than 120 years - Council meetings used to be conducted in the front room of the store at a time when Kangaroo Ground rivalled Eltham as the major centre of the Shire. The general store is historically and aesthetically significant as one of a group of three well preserved public buildings in the Kangaroo Ground hamlet and as a major heritage component of Kangaroo Ground which was one of the earliest settled areas of the Shire and which has the character of an English village rather than an Australian settlement. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then / Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p77 Today the general store is an uncommon form of trade but the one at Kangaroo Ground continues a long tradition of friendliness and service. For more than 100 years it has been a centre of community life. In the settlement’s early days a previous general store, on the same site, was the meeting place for the Eltham District Road Board, precursor to the Eltham Shire Council. For years Kangaroo Ground rivalled Eltham as the shire’s major centre. It developed very differently from the rest of the shire as its rich soil attracted prosperous Presbyterian Scots who had large agricultural properties.1 The present store was built to replace another one, which had burnt down in 1898, after replacing a predecessor on the other side of the road in 1865. The store retains its outward character and its cellar, although inside it has changed considerably. It now includes a café and offers local produce, milk bar products, grocery items, gas and other fuel. Until early this century the store was also used as a post office. Kangaroo Ground’s first postmaster was Andrew Ross, who first operated from the school opposite, then from his hotel next to the present tennis court site. The first postmaster at this store was Edward Weller, followed in 1868 by James Anderson. At that time a mail coach ran three times a week between Eltham and Woods Point through Kangaroo Ground, Yarra Flats, Healesville, Fernshaw, Marysville and Matlock. Some early postmasters were Rodger, McLaughlin, Greenway and Burns.2 Burns was the only postmaster operating from the store. The others operated from Andrew Ross’s hotel. The mail service improved in 1892 when coaches ran from Melbourne to Queenstown (now known as St Andrews) and changed horses at Kangaroo Ground twice daily. The only telegraph office in the district at that time was at the Kangaroo Ground Post Office. Telegrams to outlying areas such as Queenstown and Kinglake had to be sent by hand. A local resident in the early 1900s often rode his pony to deliver telegrams and was paid one shilling a mile porterage. The store has also contributed to the lighter side of Kangaroo Ground life. During the years that Con Wraight owned the store, between 1906 and 1946, a new piano was needed for the Kangaroo Ground Hall, so monthly dances were held to raise money. When the piano was bought, a grand ball was held in the Kangaroo Ground Hall to celebrate the occasion and supper followed at Mr Wraight’s barn, cleaned especially for the occasion. Every New Year’s Eve, a Scottish piper would set off from between the store and the schoolhouse, playing his pipes, and march to Cameron’s Pigeon Bank homestead on the Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road. Between 1914 and 1922, the store was a station for the Kangaroo Ground Bush Fire Brigade’s tanker. It consisted of a wooden barrel on a cart, fitted with a hand-pump, and stood on the side of the road outside the store. Joy Ness, who belonged to an early Kangaroo Ground family, moved here in 1940 and recalled her impressions of the store at that time: ‘It was a very dark shop stained in a dark colour and on the walls just below the ceiling hung hurricane lamps, ropes, kitchen utensils and other goods for sale. ‘Goods were weighed on a brass scale with weights, on which mothers also weighed their babies, because the nearest Infant Welfare Centre was at Greensborough. The bacon was cut with a hand slicer and later a pot-bellied stove warmed the store. Farmers and other locals used to gossip around it as they collected their daily mail. In those days the butter and cheese were kept in the cellar as no ice was delivered for cooling.’This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham-yarra glen road, kangaroo ground general store -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Literary work, Alice Milner's memories of CWA Ringwood Branch in 1995
Kindly scanned from Ringwood Branch archival collectionTranscript (kindly completed by Ken Briscoe using ChatGPT) RINGWOOD BRANCH COUNTRY WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION INC. February 13, 1946 in the Ringwood Town Hall, the Mayoress, Mrs. H.E. Parker, called the meeting and Ringwood Branch Country Women's Association was formed, and would be in the Yarra Valley Group. Speaker for the day was Mrs. Wray, Group President, Yarra Valley Group. Office bearers elected were: • Mrs. Greenshields (President) • Mrs. Shields (Secretary) • Mrs. Roberts (Treasurer) At the inaugural meeting, 93 ladies joined, and the first general meeting of the Ringwood Branch was held March 7, 1946, and by the end of August the membership grew to 160. In 1946 the joining fee was 4/- and you never attended a meeting unless you wore hat and gloves. The first year, meetings were held in the main Town Hall, then they were transferred to the small hall, which had a creche next door, at the baby health centre, where mothers could leave their little ones, while mum enjoyed the meetings, demonstrations or entertainment. The Branch had a very good Choir, conducted by Mrs. Dorrie Davidson, also a very talented theatrical group. Each birthday they put on excellent stage shows, some beautiful costumes being hired from well-known Melbourne theatrical company. The 1956 Olympic stage show had some well-trained, but out of form, athletes. Highlight of the year was the Annual Ball and two Debutante Balls. New branches were formed in the district, Everard, East Ringwood, Heathmont, South Warrandyte. There was also, Ringwood Younger set, a night branch (later years was renamed Marana). It was then that our membership dropped. As more and more branches were started in the district, Ringwood was then allocated to the newly formed Maroondah Highway Group. Craft classes and demonstrations were of a high standard, with some interesting things being made such as millinery, dressmaking, pottery, etc. In 1960 when Ringwood was made a City, a C.W.A. float was entered in the procession, this was a mammoth task, as hundreds of flowers were made and wired to the float, which was in green and gold C.W.A. colours. The time came when the Town Hall was to be demolished, and we moved to the Church of England Hall, Civic Place, but after a short time, this hall was also demolished. Meetings were then held at Ringwood Library until the library was no longer available. Our last move was to our present meeting room at Lionswood. Today you dress as you wish and membership is $12.00. The Ringwood Branch in 1995 has 2 life members and 21 members. Alice Milner March 15, 1995 As a matter of interest, of those 160 members who joined in the first year, only one active member is left with the Branch -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Article, A Woman's Melbourne Letter
A detailed description of the Mission and its activities written by a woman: Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 13 December 1918, page 34 A WOMAN'S MELBOURNE LETTER. Melbourne, Dec. 4. There is an idea abroad, which as regards Melbourne, at any rate, is quite erroneous, that our sailors are not as well looked after as our soldiers, and that the noble men of the Mercantile Marine are much neglected ! For once, perhaps, my readers will pardon a letter dealing with only one subject, but the steady, unostentatious work done by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in connection with the mission to seamen in Melbourne could not be adequately explained if dismissed in the usual short paragraph. Some of the most prominent names in Melbourne are associated with this guild and with the Mission Chaplain, and Mrs. Gurney Goldsmith, the members have made the Seamen's Institute a real home for those sailors of the Mercantile Marine, who touch our port. What we as a community owe to those men by their heroism in recent hostilities is certainly more understood by this band of enthusiastic workers than by the community generally. By using their unflagging energies, and influence on the sailor's behalf they endeavour to discharge a debt to which in some way or other we could and should all contribute. Even the most casual person can, if he thinks at all, sum up a few of the things our sailors - other than those belonging to our glorious navy - have done for us. On the spur of the moment we remember that those of the Mercantile Marine, are the men who manned our transports, who carried our wheat and wool, to oversea markets; who kept us in touch with our loved ones abroad; who kept the fires going in the furnaces of the great leviathans, bringing our wounded soldiers home again; who never flinched when self-sacrifice was demanded; who cared, with that tenderness, innate in all sailors, for the women and children, when the passenger ships were struck a dastardly blow by the wicked enemy; who, mocking death, gave up life with a heroism all the more heroic because it was always taken as a matter of course! Is it any wonder, then, that the members of the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild make it their business to provide a bright, homelike, spot in Melbourne, where the sailors are always certain of a cherry welcome ashore? The members of the guild are admirably drafted! The 360 non-workers each pay £1 1s. per annum. The workers, of whom there are between 700 and 800, donate 2s. 6d. and school members - it is confidently hoped that gradually all the schools will take an active interest in the mission - 1s. a year. The knights of the guild - as the men members are designated - are responsible for any sum they wish to name, from 5s. a year upwards. Everything is paid for out of these revenues, with the exception of a small grant from the Home Mission Fund - and such is the organisation, and management, that the entire concern is quite free from debt. The Seamen's Church and Institute, where the "Harbour Lights" gleam so brightly, is situated right in the midst of all the bustle and turmoil of the wharves, at the end of Flinders-street. The building, comprising chapel, and institute under the one red tiled roof, is grey stuccoed, with a small tower, from which flaunts the flag of 'The Flying Angel" - the badge of the guild. A visit to the institute makes one fully appreciate the boon the place must be to the voyage worn, weary, sailor. The atmosphere is eminently social in its best sense. While the architecture imparts an elegance, and quiet dignity which soothes by the very subtlety of its charm. With its comfortable furniture, its wealth of flowers, and the happy, wholesome, feminine influence which prevails everywhere, the quality which stands for the magic word "home" abounds. The Chaplain in the course of conversation said: -"We try to make this really a free club for sailors." But the habitues would probably tell you it was far more than that to them. The Institute is excellently appointed, and every little corner seems to have its particular history. It was built after the model of one of the old mission churches in California, and retains something of the old world attraction, while yet it combines all the advantages of modern, practical, conveniences. On entering the door the first thing, one notices is a huge compass, inlaid upon the floor, evidently to indicate one's proper bearings for it points due north - to the chapel! Only one other seamen's mission in the world boasts such a compass. As the sailor swings through the entrance he finds the office on his right, and there is, here, always a smiling face to welcome the shy, or timid, new comer. Quite a real post office is staffed by members of the guild, and all the letters received are listed alphabetically. Therefore, the expectant sailor has just to run his eye down the list, and he can immediately see whether there is a letter for him or not. If he is fortunate, he comes up to the member in charge, who unlocks the box, and produces the longed for missive. The boys are always encouraged to answer letters - and to write them. Often a few words about their mother, and their own home, will provoke a sleeping memory into activity. The writing room is well stocked with paper, envelopes, pens, and ink. The tables are so divided to ensure the utmost privacy, and through a calculated chain of circumstances, many an anxious mother receives a letter from her sailor lad, who, perhaps, might not have written but for these kindly inducements. The central hall - where social evenings are held every other night besides two special concerts a week - is inviting in the extreme. A handsome piano affords opportunity for those musically inclined. The tables are strewn with papers. The walls are bright with pictures, and here, and there, is a carved model, of a ship. One, of especial interest, is a model of "The Roon" carved, and presented by a French sailor. This German vessel will always be remembered in Australia. For it was across her bows that the first hostile shot was ever fired in Australian waters. In the corner is the canteen. It was fitted up entirely from the proceeds of a quotation calendar compiled by one of the members. The sailors may at any time, get a teapot of tea, or a tray of eatables, at a nominal cost. Before the canteen was in existence they had to go out for refreshments! - and sometimes they did not come back! Groups of sailors sit chatting at the tables. Half a dozen Swedes laugh and talk among themselves, for the simple reason they know no other language than their own. Several British sailors cluster about a dark-eyed Welsh lad - a perfect Celtic type - who, although only about twenty years of age, has been the victim of the Hun five times. Mines and torpedoes sank the ships he was in, either in the Channel or off the English coast, four times; and it is to his fifth experience, when the Inverness was wrecked, that everyone is eagerly listening. "We were in the boats eight days," he was saying, "I was pretty well mangled when they picked me up. The sufferings we endured were awful. At last we managed to reach Rapa, a Hawaiian island. The natives thought we were Germans, and came at us with spears. When they found we were British, they were awfully good to us. They even cried when we left, and the day before the rescue boat arrived they begged us to go into the hills and hide." At another table a Canadian lad - once a sailor - then a soldier, who trained at the Broadmeadows camp - was telling his experiences : - "The voyage which will always stick in my memory," he said, "was to a place which must be nameless. We left the United States not knowing whether we were bound, or what we were going to do. After some weeks we sighted a group of wonderfully beautiful islands, and we headed for the most remote and most lovely of them all. Then, and only then, we learned our mission from the skipper. We were taking their year's supply to a leprosy station! Oh no! I don't blame the skipper for not telling us ! Someone has to do these things, you know. A naval guard saw they didn't come near - and we all got sixty dollars extra. When the job was over we were quarantined on another island for two months, and one little chap - the baby of the crew, not eighteen - developed leprosy, and died before we left. Yes! I'll never forget that voyage, mates! Sometimes, I seem to see Leper's Island yet, with its lavish tropical vegetation and the gorgeous sunsets which stained all the water with blood. Then, too" - here the voice deepened - "there was an English girl - a leper - there. We heard she used to be an actress, and she contracted the disease somehow or other. She was always alone, and always watching us. In the distance we could see her come to the water's edge, and from there she would watch. Just watch . .. . watch . . .watch. ..." "Here come a couple of North Sea chaps," broke in an elderly man after pause. "One of them wounded, too, poor lad." It is not strange that all the sailors flock to the Institute. It is so comfortable, and essentially inviting, besides being full of human interest. The men's quarters comprise reading, writing and dressing rooms - hot and cold baths are always available - billiard room, and a special baggage room, where any sailor may leave his kit for as long as he likes. The payment of 3d. covers its complete insurance. Upstairs are the officers' quarters. These also have their own billiard room, writing and reading rooms, bath and dressing rooms. Just close are the apprentices' quarters - "The Half Deck," as popular parlance has it! The lads also have a billiard room of their own, and indulge in an easy armchair - amongst others - which was a donation from the Milverton School branch of the Guild. It is hoped by the committee to some day utilise the huge empty rooms, which run the length of the whole building. Their ultimate intention is to fit them up as cubicles, or "cabins," as they are to be called. They trust these "cabins" will be donated, either in memory, or in honour, of someone dear to the donor. Another forward movement soon to be put in hand, now that materials are available, is the establishment of "Norla Gymnasium." In a sailors' club such facility for exercise is absolutely essential. The men both need, and miss, exertion. As one boy, who had been backsliding, once said pathetically : -"If only there was something to do to get me into a good sweat, I would be all right." Soon such an one will be helped to swing from the trapese of the Norla Gymnasium into the right track! Sunday is always a fete day at the Institute, for 40 or 50 sailors generally come into tea. The up-to-date kitchen, which is fitted with every labour-saving appliance - all paid for out of working members' half crowns - is then a hive of animation, and methodical order. A formidable row of teapots await filling. Mrs. Goldsmith -, the chaplain's wife - rightly thinks it is far more homely to pour out the tea from a pot, than to serve it straight from the urns. So tea is poured out by a member, who sits at the head of a table gay with flowers, and chats to the guests. These latter are of all nationalities. But the French, the Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian - or any other sailor is equally welcome with the British. Two enthusiasts belonging to the Guild actually learnt Norwegian, so that men of this nation would have someone to talk to, and so be less lonely when they reached this, to them, foreign port ! The members of the Guild have their own private suite where they arrange the flow-err and do other necessary odds and ends undisturbed. No one appreciates flowers like a sailor, and the earliest and most beautiful may always be seen adorning the tables and rooms. Teas are served and lectures are held in the "Celia Little Hall," one of the most beautiful portions of the institute. It was erected by the chaplain in memory of his aunt from whom the hall takes its name. The Gothic windows open upon the cloisters, where, in the hot weather, the sailors enjoy their meals out of doors. The cloisters, indeed, form an exquisite spot. They are between a series of sweeping arches which lead to the chapel, and are sheltered by the open balcony of the chaplain's quarters. Grace of contour marks the architecture on every turn. Just around the corner is the chaplain's garden - a patch of green and colour, transformed from a desert waste, by a well-known woman horticulturist. The book room is a department especially valued by the sailors. There are two secretaries, one for home and the other for foreign literature. Books in French, English, Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and German may be found on the shelves. Each week about 36 convenient parcels of reading stuff are made up. These contain illustrated papers, books in various languages, and magazines. These parcels are eagerly accepted by the sailor with a long monotonous voyage before him. But complete as is every corner of the institute, no part is so well equipped as the memorial chapel erected by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in memory of the officers and men, who have lost their lives during the war. St Peter's - for it is called after the sailor's patron saint - with its hallowed gentle dignity is a veritable sanctuary of peace, perhaps all the more so because it sprang out of war. The fittings are entirely of Australian wood. The pews, given in memory of some loved one by one of the members, are of Tasmanian hardwood. The reredos and altar chairs of carved blackwood. The rich carpet was provided by the members' magical half-crowns. Already this chapel holds memorials of peculiar historical interest. The altar lectern was given in memory of Commander Elwell, who, it will be remembered, was killed at Rabaul, in the early part of the war. The font commemorates two heroes - Nigel Hockley and Fred Hyde, who lost their lives at the hands of the Germans, although they survived the actual torpedoing of their ships, the Galgorn Castle off the coast of Ireland. The mother of one of them wrote out that her son had died as an Englishman should - fighting for the right. This noble sentiment is suitably paraphrased upon the inscription engraved upon the font. Practically every-hing enshrined in the chapel has its own sentimental value. The alms salver of beaten copper, studded with agate, is fragrant with the memory of a saintly woman.The eye of the sailor is caught and held by the pulpit, which is fashioned like a ship's hull and only a twist of rope guides the chaplain up the steps. For the last 13 years the Rev. A. Gurney Goldsmith, M.A., has acted as chaplain to the Seamen's Mission in Melbourne. Before that he and his wife worked in China. Mr Goldsmith visits all the boats and gets in touch personally with the sailor, over whom he has great influence. He is not only their chaplain and friend, but, amongst a wide range of other things, their banker besides. An exchange system exists between the various Missions, and the sailor who has "banked" his money with the chaplain, upon going away, receives a cheque which is cashed - minus exchange - by the chaplain of the next port. Mr. Goldsmith will tell you he has a soft spot in his heart for on old sailor he calls "Paddy." This ancient mariner has been wrecked ten times. It was a long time before the chaplain prevailed upon "Paddy" to partake of the spiritual and secular advantages afforded by the institute. He would not come, he said, until he could do so "with a good heart." Finally he frankly admitted that he had no "friends like those of 'the Flying Angel,' " and that he eventually proved his own "good heart" will be shown in this story. One day he came in to the chaplain and said bluffly, "Well, sir, I've been payin' off some old scores up Carlton way, an' I tells yer, plain, sir, not one of 'em would have seen a penny of their money but for the Mission." The Ladies' Harbour Light Guild has over thirty working suburban branches, and the excellent results achieved at the Institute now will no doubt be considerably augmented in the future. The practical actions of the members do more than anything else to convey the subtle meaning of the name of the Guild. To the visiting sailors the word "ladies" signifies the bread givers; "harbour" safety ; "lights" welcome; "guild" the welding of fraternity, and they one and all tell you the ideals thus embodied are unselfishly carried out by all the ladies who have banded together to care for the sailors' welfare.The article describes the Mission and the use of several spaces a year after its opening and gives details about the daily activities.Digital copy of an article published in the Western Mail on the 13th of December 1918. 717 flinders street, seamen's mission, norla dome, lhlg, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, celia little room, garden, frederica godfrey -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Flag, Australian Flag (Union Jack) 1900
There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. Between 1899 and 1902, around 16,500 Australians served in South Africa during the Boer War. This was the largest international deployment of troops from the Australian Colonies before Australian Federation. Of the 16,500 men who served in South Africa, 606 were killed in action or died of diseases. The Australian War Memorial records that the fighting conditions in South Africa extremely hard on men and horses. Australians fighting in South Africa were doing so as part of Colony based Regiments such as the Victorian Mounted Rifles, New South Wales Lancers, Queensland Mounted Infantry as well as units from the other states. Australians were awarded six Victoria Crosses during the campaign along with many other decorations. In May of 1902 the treaty of Vereeniging was signed officially ending the Boer War. The Boer War is commemorated in many Towns and Cities around Australia. The Lara RSL Sub Branch holds some memorabilia from the Boer War. There is a Union Jack brought back from South Africa by 1229 Trooper Fredrick James Smith. He was a resident of Lara and was a member of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. It was reported that he carried this flag into battle. The Lara RSL also holds the flag staff of the China, South African and Old Veterans Association. Both these items are of national significance. Both the flag and flag staff were used in marches in Geelong each year until 1916 when Anzac Day commenced. The flag and flag staff were donated to the Lara RSL sub Branch when he joined in 1928. Fredrick James Smith was born at Lara in 1879, the son of Mr/Mrs Smith from Lara. He was a farm hand from Horton Vale, Anakie when he joined F Company of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles at the beginning of February 1901. Two weeks later, he left for South Africa on the 15th February. Before leaving, he purchased the flag from W. Libby & Son Geelong. Frederick Left for South Africa on the 15 February 1901 on the Orient. He saw service between March 1901 - March 1902 in east Transvaal and Natal frontier under the British Major General S. Beatson then Pulteney, including the defeat at Wilmansrust where 18 soldiers were killed and 42 wounded (12th June 1901 - heaviest casualties of any Australian contingent,); and the successful intervention at Onverwacht on the 4th January 1902. The 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles suffered: 36 killed or died of wounds, 13 died of disease of a contingent of 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks and 1099 horses. They returned to Australia on the 26th April 1902 on the Custodian after sailing from Point Natal in South Africa on the 5th April. On his return, Tropper Smith (Saddler Private) joined the South African Soldiers Association of Victoria – Geelong Branch, and after 1928, he joined the Lara RSL. He was buried in Western Cemetery on the 19th June 1968 at the age of 89. Enrolled February 1901 Departed for South Africa on 15 February 1901 Establishment: 46 Officers, 971 Other Ranks with 1099 horses Mobilised at Pretoria: 24 March -- 4 April 1901 Typical company: 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 1 company sergeant-major, 1 company quartermaster-sergeant, 1 sergeant-farrier, 1 sergeant-saddler, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 3 shoeing-smiths, 3 saddlers, 1 bugler, 99 privates. Total in company: 126 with 131 horses. Engagements: Rhenoster Kop, Klippan, Kornfontein, Drivelfontein, Wilmansrust, Kambuladraai, H'Lobane, Luchiel's Nek, Loch's Kraal, Vryheid, Onverwacht, Johnston Hoek Killed in action (or died): six Officers, 48 Other Ranks VC Winner: Lieut. L. C. Maygar News article Leader (Melbourne) Saturday 31st May 1902, page 42 - Dear Cinderella. — This is the second time I have written to you. I was very sorry at not seeing my first letter in "The Leader". But I hope to say, that this one will be in. The last time I wrote to you I told you that my brother (Fredrick Smith) went to the Boer War in South Africa, and that he was supposed to be killed in the Wilmansrust disaster. But this time I am going to tell you about his return, and the grand welcome he got from the residents of Lara. Mother, Father, and my Brother, went down to Melbourne, to meet the boat. You can just imagine how rejoiced we all were to see him back again. The railway station was decorated some thing beautiful with flags of all description all the colours you could think of. He has bought a lot of Boer curios home and some Kaffir bracelets. They are such funny looking things. The residents of Lara, also gave my brother a grand social and ball there were over four hundred people present, They presented him with a hand some gold chain, and locket suitably inscribed, and a pair of gold sleeve links, they were magnificent. The ball was very nice. . I had a few dances. I enjoyed myself grand. I think this is all I can tell you this time. I must conclude with love. I remain yours sincerely - BESSIE SMITH. Age 14-years. This flag is of national significance as it was used in the Boer War by Private Fredrick James Smith (SN:1229) of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, F Company in their deployment to South Africa between 1901 and 1902. The flag was taken into the Wilmansrust engagement in which 19 soldiers died and 41 were wounded. On return to Australia, the flag was used in marches by the South Africa, China Old Veterans Association - Geelong. This flag represents a unique part of Australian history from which the movie, Breaker Morant was taken. It is of spiritual significance as the Boer War was where the first Australian received the Imperial Victoria Cross, and the spirit of Anzac was conceived, giving birth in World War 1. The Flag represents the spirit of Australians who fought and died in South Africa.Cotton Union Jack flag approx 221cm wide by 109cm tall with small repair patches and center section cotton deteriorated.Has the word "Lara" inscribed in black on bottom part of the flag heading. Has the flag makers name "W.Libby & Son" on the top part of the flag heading.boer war, union jack flag, south africa, wilmansrust, 5th victorian mounted rifles, f coy, private fredrick james smith, service number 1229, february 1901, april 1902, south africa china old veterans association