The dance group performed at a function which took place at Wilson Hall at the Melbourne University Campus in 1961. The ladies are from L-R: Nina Black, June Megalos, Olga Black, Katherine Black, Stella Stevens and Effie Megalos.The maintenance of Greek culture within Melbourne's Greek community has been assisted by the teaching of traditional music and folk dancing to the Australian born generations at the Greek schools and dance classes. Greek dance is still an integral part of any Greek celebration.A black and white photograph of six women standing in front of a screen. They are dressed in traditional Greek costumes.

The striking fabric of this wall hanging was recovered from the sinking Schomberg. It was originally one of the many curtains adorning the captain’s cabin and ladies’ saloons that attracted first-class passengers to this luxury vessel, built for comfort and speed. The clipper ship was on its maiden voyage, full of passengers emigrating to Australia in 1855. Its commander was Captain James Nicol Forbes, who had been selected by James Baine & Co for his navigation skills, experience, and reputation for breaking sailing records. However, on December 26th, 1855, the vessel became stranded and sank west of Cape Otway, not quite reaching its destination of Melbourne. A reporter explored the Schomberg before its journey; the following detailed description is an excerpt of his article published in a newspaper after the disastrous voyage was announced. “ … descending by a flight of stairs, covered with carpet of a very rich pattern, we came to the saloon passengers’ cabin. This is a noble place, and all that refined taste would suggest has been done to make each berth a miniature palace. The bedding is of the very best material, and the fittings are replete with every convenience. The carpets are of various coloured velvet pile, and the curtains are of satin damask, lined with white satin … The fronts of the berths are highly decorated, and festoons of flowers are painted on the panels … No two berths are furnished with the same-coloured material … the visitor is, therefore, much pleased with the variety which he has to inspect….” (Trove: Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade, 31 Dec 1955, p. 283) The curtain material, ‘folded into a single piece and parcelled for protection’, has been passed down through generations of Captain Forbes’ relatives, starting with his half-sister Isabella Jeffrey Nicol. The curtain has remained with the family, although some transition details are incomplete. About a century later, Isabella and Blakiston Robinson’s great-grandson and his wife had the fabric professionally mounted as a wall hanging to showcase the beauty of the woven brocade. Eventually, the custodianship of the curtain was transferred to the donor, who is also a great-grandson of Isabella and Blakiston. He and his wife hung the curtain on the wall of a high-ceilinged room in their home, away from direct light, making it visible for all to appreciate its beauty and significance. In 2024, they donated the curtain for inclusion among the collection of artefacts that help tell the story of the Schomberg and those who sailed on its first and last voyage. The donor’s aunt was highly involved in the family’s history. She had collected and recorded information that dates back to pre-1341. A footnote included in a handwritten letter dated April 20, 1959, from the late Arthur William Rudd, OBE, MA, LLB, husband of another of the donor’s aunts, states, “The curtains you mentioned came from the Schomberg. AWR.” CAPTAIN JAMES NICOL FORBES (1821-1874) and the donor’s family: - Captain Forbes was born in Aberdeen. In his late teens, he moved to Liverpool, a hub for international trade and an emigration port. By the age of 25, he was master of the Prince of Waterloo and later, the Wakefield. He then commanded the Cleopatra for the James Baines Co., which, two years later, transferred him to command the Maria, providing fast and lucrative passage to the gold fields in Ballarat, Australia. James Baines Co. and shipbuilder Thomas Mackay formed the Black Ball Line of clipper ships in 1852. Forbes was appointed master of the largest ship in the fleet, the marvellous Marco Polo. He broke the record time for the passage to Australia, taking only 68 days at sea, and the return journey in only 76 days, a total of 5 months and 21 days. On his second voyage to Melbourne in the Marco Polo the following year, he took 75 days, and 95 days on the return trip. His accomplishment made him famous. James Baines reported that the Marco Polo was the only ship, sail or steam, to do the round trip within 6 months, and it had done it twice. Captain Forbes then took command of the American-built clipper Lightning, one of four built for the Black Ball line. His 19-year-old half-sister, Isabella Jaffray Nicol, was also onboard when he sailed for Melbourne in 1854. During the 77-day voyage, Isabella met Blakiston Robinson, and not long after the ship arrived in Melbourne on July 31, the couple married, with James Nicol Forbes as a witness, on August 16. When Forbes returned to Liverpool, he took a record-breaking 63 days, which has never been bettered. James Baines Co. ordered a new luxury emigrant ship from Alexander Hall of Aberdeen; the Schomberg was the largest sailing ship ever built in Britain. On October 6, 1855, the vessel departed Liverpool commanded by Captain Forbes, with 430 passengers on board, 54 of whom were First Class. It had almost completed its voyage to Melbourne when, on the night of December 26, it ran aground west of Cape Otway. Captain Doran, master of the steamer Queen, responded to the distress signal while on its way to Portland and, with the agreement of his passengers, rescued as many as possible from the Schomberg and returned to Melbourne with them. Captain Helpman, master of the steamer Champion, rescued most of the remaining Schomberg passengers on December 27. On Friday, 28th, Captain James Lawrence was on his way to Adelaide in the steamer Burra Burra, and called past the Schomberg. He reported that the remaining crew were all doing their duties, but the Schomberg was deteriorating on a sand spit and had about 16 feet of water in its hold. That same day, the schooner Jane Elizabeth collected 220 packages of passengers’ luggage to deliver to Melbourne on the 29th. Two steamers also arrived on the 29th with 20 men to collect passengers’ luggage and valuable ship’s cargo items. They were accompanied by water police, customs agents, company representatives and a Lloyds agent. The decision was made to abandon ship on the 30th due to rough and unsafe conditions. The officials and Captain Forbes voyaged to Melbourne, while the seamen remained behind awaiting rescue. Evacuation by sea became too risky, so on January 2, 1856, while the first Mate and Steward remained at the wreck site, the rest of the crew began the 70-mile march to Warrnambool, led by the band. They arrived on January 5th and left for Melbourne on the steamer Champion on January 10th. Parts of the Schomberg wreck ended up in New Zealand. The curtain is important for its connection to the Schomberg, which was unique for being designed and built in Aberdeen, and commanded by an Aberdonian who was the most celebrated clipper captain of the age. The ship was the largest sailing ship ever built in Britain, and reported as the largest vessel that sailed to Australia. The curtain is an example of the rich decorative furnishings available in 1855. The preservation and respect the donor and his family have shown towards the curtain over many decades reflect its important role in telling the family’s history; the journey, the romantic attachment, the family connection to the sea, and travel in gold rush times. The curtain is significant for its connection to James Nocol Forbes, a famous sailing ship commander who broke several sailing records, one of which has never been bettered. This wall hanging, also known as the Schomberg Curtain, was created from a curtain recovered from the stranded luxury ship Schomberg in December 1855. The woven satin damask fabric in blue and cream has been meticulously joined to blend the intricate pattern. The reverse features a soft cream lining. The hems at the top and bottom of the fabric hold wooden rods. The side edges feature decorative braid that has been hand-stitched in place. On the reverse, the bottom hem includes the same braid, which remains unseen from the front, and the centre of the top hem has a hand-worked, unused buttonhole. Each of the hems varies in depth. The curtain was tastefully mounted later to highlight the beauty of the original saloon curtain. A decorative twisted cord of cream silk threads, accented with gold highlights and decorative tassels, was coiled and attached to the ends of the top rod. The elegant display was completed with an ornate gold hook, chosen to complement the wall hanging.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, shipwreck artefact, memorabilia, curtain, saloon curtain, schomberg, wall hanging, decorative object, domestic item, warrnambool, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, maritime history, shipwreck, stranding, schomberg curtain, schomberg wall hanging, luxury ship, 1855, damask, silk damask, blue and cream, captain’s cabin, ladies’ saloon, clipper ship, migrant, emigrant, liverpool to australia, captain james nicol forbes, james forbes, captain forbes, bully forbes, james baines & co, james baines, cape otway, aberdeen, prince of waterloo, wakefield, cleopatra, maria, thomas mackay, black ball line, marco polo, sailing record, lightning, isabella jaffray nocol, blakiston robinson, alexander hall, steamer queen, captain helpman, james lawrence, steamer burra burra, steamer jane elizabeth, water police, customs agents, lloyds agent, ship’s band, walk to warrnambool, march to warrnambool, steamer champion, agnes nicol robinson, arthur william rudd obe ma llb

Collection of 110 photographs and some negatives, mostly colour. Some ID photographs, some at functions or taking classses. Identified by Ala Shtrauser, Ross Payne, Andrew Smith. Found in James Pearson's former office 2015 by Ross Payne. (1) Peter McSweeney, Kevin Blaze, Ross Payne, Ed Smart, Phil Kenyon, Paula Cave, John Delpratt, Peter May, Ian Winstone. (2) Geoff Olive, Ian Winstone, John Brereton, John Delpratt, Ross Hall. (3) Peter McSweeney, Nick Bailey, Phil Kenyon, Brian Shields, Geoff Olive, Ian Winstone, John Brereton, John Delpratt, Ross Hall, James Hitchmough, David Aldous. (4) Geoff Connelan, Jamie Pearson, Ross Payne, Ed Smart, Peter May, James Hitchmough, Nick Bailey, Ross Hall, Catherine Jaggs. (5) James Will, Bata Thomas. (6) John Delpratt, John Rayner. (7) Phil Mayle, James MacIntyre (student), James Will, Jayne Lindholm. (8,19) David Aldous, Eric Littlejohn. (9) John Rayner. (10) Nick Bailey. (11) Alex Campbell. (12,13) Ala Hires (Shtrauser). (14) Michael Green. (15) Ross Hall, Peter McSweeney, James Hitchmough, Kevin Blaze. (16,44) Brian Shields. (17,18) Kylie Cannon, Karen Geyeregger, Nick Osborne, Jim Pleasance. (20) John Delpratt. (21) Ian Winstone and student working on Student Gardens. (22) Geoff Olive, Ed Smart. (23) Robina Duggan, Michèle Adler. (24) Catherine Jaggs, Peter May. (25,26) Mark MacNamara, Kelvin McKenzie, Ruth Beilin, Ed Smart. (27) Rosemary McConell, Elizabeth Hill. (28) Fred Taylor, Mike Nechwatal. (29) Claire Scott, Nick Bailey, Ross Hall. (30,66) John Brereton. (31) Rosemary McConell, Mark MacNamara. (32) Mike Nechwatel, Bata Thomas, Graham Sterry. (33) Geoff Olive, Phil Tulk. (34) Ed Smart, Ruth Beilin, Ian Winstone. (35) James Will with students. (36,37) Peter McSweeney. (38) Alex Campbell, Jamie Pearson, Ross Payne. (39) Geoff Connellan. (40) Richard Green, Darryl Gibbs. (41) John Rayner, Karen Geyeregger. (442) Ross Payne. (43) Jamie Pearson, Jim Pleasance. (45-49) Claire Scott. (50-54) Ian Winstone. (55) Michelle Dall, Kylie Cannon, James Will, Catherine Jaggs, Nick Bailey, Jamie Pearson, John Brereton, Peter May, Rosemary McConell, Ed Smart, Greg Moore, Ian Winstone, David Aldous, Brian Shields "Sept 1990". (56) Brian Shields, Peter May, Kelvin McKenzie, Fred Taylor, Phil Tulk, Richard Green, Graham Sterry, Ross Payne "Sept 1990". (57,58) James Will, Jill Kellow 1987/88 on Grampians excursion with Associate Diploma students staying in Shearers' quarters. (59,60) James Will, John Delpratt. (61,62) Denise Johnstone. (63-65) Michèle Adler, Ian Winstone, Greg Moore, Jenny Leereveld, Geoff Connellan, Catherine Jaggs, Rod McMillan, Peter Esdale, Peter Sheppard, Nick Bailey, James Hitchmough, Rosemary McConnell, David Aldous, Ruth Beilin, Clive Sorrell, Tony Westmore, Peter May, Ivo Dean, Kevin Blaze, James Will, Ross Hall, Peter McSweeney, Ed Smart, Phil Kenyon, John Delpratt, John Brereton, Geoff Olive, Darryl Gibbs. (67) David Aldous, Greg Moore, Brian Shields, Peter May. (68,69) Preparing Landscape Shed 1990's. (70) Building Quad 6. (71) Leigh Stone. (72) Pruning Day. (73,74) Staff Group , Jim Davis, Principal. (75) Peter Esdale. (76) Tess Hernan. (77) Ruth Beilin. (78) Alex Campbell. (79) Ala Hires (Shtrauser). (80) Karen Geyeregger. (81) Catherine Jaggs. (82) Mark MacNamara. (83) Peter McSweeney. (84) David Aldous. (85) Cassandra McLean. (86) Barry Dimelow. (87) Phil Tulk. (88) Corinne Leadbeatter. (89) Cinnamon Evans. (90) Martin Stevens. (91) Ian Winstone. (92) Tony Westmore. (93) Robyn Middleton. (94) Alan Shanks. (95) Robin Haylett. (96) Mike Wilson. (97) Gail Murphy. (98) Tanuja Ali. (100) Julie Cocksedge. (101) Sheh-Mae Ho,. (102) Kerry Pantzopolous. (103) Michele Dall. (104-107) James Pearson. (108) Ross Payne. (109) Robina Duggan. (110) Meg Probin, Michèle Adler, Graham Sterry. Found in Jamie Pearson's former office 2015.functions, classses, ala shtrauser, ross payne, andrew smith, james pearson, peter mcsweeney, kevin blaze, ross payne, ed smart, phil kenyon, paula cave, john delpratt, peter may, ian winstone, geoff olive, ian winstone, john brereton, john delpratt, ross hall, nick bailey, phil kenyon, brian shields, james hitchmough, david aldous, geoff connelan, catherine jaggs, james will, bata thomas, john rayner, phil mayle, james macintyre, jayne lindholm, eric littlejohn, alex campbell, ala hires, michael green, peter mcsweeney, kylie cannon, karen geyeregger, nick osborne, jim pleasance, students, robina duggan, michèle adler, mark macnamara, kelvin mckenzie, ruth beilin, rosemary mcconell, elizabeth hill, fred taylor, mike nechwatal, claire scott, graham sterry, geoff connellan, richard green, darryl gibbs, michelle dall, catherine jaggs, greg moore