Showing 676 items
matching australia - history - government
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Unions Ballarat
Silence kills : events leading up to the Vietnam Moratorium on 8 May, Cairns, J, 1970
The author, Jim Cairns, was a member of the Vietnam Moratorium Committee and led the protest march at Melbourne in May 1970 at which 100,000 people marched. Jim Cairns was also a Labor member of federal parliament who was a Cabinet Minister during the Whitlam government.Relevant to the Vietnam War and Australian activism. Autobiographical interest.Paper; book. Front cover: black and white photograph; gold, black and white lettering.Front cover: title and author's name.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, vietnam war, australia, history, activism, moratorium - vietnam war, autobiography, cairns, jim, protest marches, alp, australian labor party, rallies -
Unions Ballarat
The Hawke ascendency, Kelly, Paul, 1984
The story of power politics surrounding Bob Hawke's electoral victory in 1983. The author particularly focusses upon the personal dynamics of Bob Hawke, Malcolm Fraser and Bill Hayden.Relevant to the history of Australian politics and ALP history. Biographical interest - Bob Hawke, Malcolm Fraser, Bill Hayden.Paper; book. Front cover: black background; black and white image of Bob Hawke; white lettering.Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, hawke, bob, hayden, bill, fraser, malcolm, alp, australian labor party, liberal party australia, elections, parliament, government, politics, politicians, prime minister, biography -
Unions Ballarat
The Hawke years : the story from the inside, Mills, Stephen, 1993
"How Bob Hawke won four elections - His place on the world stage - His love affair with the Australian people" -- Cover. Biographical interest - Bob Hawke. Bob Hawke was President of the ACTU and was successfully elected to federal parliament in 1980. He became Australian Prime Minister in 1983, defeating Malcolm Fraser. He relinquished the Prime Ministership in 1991 following a successful leadership challenge by Paul Keating.Paper; book. Front cover: colour photograph of Bob and Hazel Hawke; black and red background; white lettering.Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, hawke, bob, alp, history, australian labor party, politics, unions, government, parliament, prime minister -
Unions Ballarat
The turbulent years: The autobiography of JT Lang (Don Woodward Collection), Lang, JT, 1970
Autobiography of Jack Lang's political career. Lang is a former NSW ALP state treasurer and was elected Premier on two occasions. His government was dismissed in his second term of government by the State Governor due to his defying the Commonwealth Government's financial agreements' legislation. Relevant to the history of the ALP in NSW and the labour movement. Autobiographical interest - Jack Lang.Book; 323 pages. Dustjacket: light blue background; black and white photograph of JT Lang; red and white lettering. Cover: grey background; green lettering; author's name and title.In blue ink: "Pop, Happy Birthday. Mary, Murray, Christopher. 8:10:70" (Copy 1)btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, alp, australian labor party, new south wales, politics, government, premier, autobiography, lang, jt, lang, jack -
Unions Ballarat
Off the rails : the Pauline Hanson trip, Kingston, Margo, 1999
Relates to the resurgence of One Nation party in 2001 and analyses why the party did not disappear after the 1998 election.Relevant to Australian political history and particularly to Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party.Paper; book. Front cover: white background; colour photograph of Pauline Hanson with two men with their heads on her shoulders; brown and black lettering.Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, one nation, hanson, pauline, elections, politics, government, pauline hanson's one nation, election campaigning, journalism, politicians -
Unions Ballarat
The 'Big Fella' : Jack Lang and the Australian Labor Party 1891-1949, Nairn, Bede, 1995
Biography of Jack Lang. Jack Lang is a former NSW ALP state treasurer and was elected Premier on two occasions. His government was dismissed in his second term of government by the State Governor due to his defying the Commonwealth Government's financial agreements' legislation.Relevant to the history of the ALP in NSW and the labour movement. Biographical interest - Jack Lang.Paper; paperback book. Front cover: picture of Jack Lang.Front cover: author's name and title. Back cover: quote from author; synopsis of book content; laudatory comment by the Sydney Morning Herald; cover credits.btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, lang, jack, alp, australian labor party, new south wales, financial agreements' legislation, premier, politics, government, governor - state, dismissal -
Unions Ballarat
A brave new workplace : will the Howard government's workplace reforms make Australia better off? And how will they affect your job?, ABC/Four Corners, 2005
The struggle between the Howard government and the labour movement over the Work Choices legislation. Includes interviews with key players - for example, Greg Combet and John Howard - and reported by Sally Neighbour.Relevant to the union movement and changes in workplace rights. Pertains to the history of the government of John Howard (1996-2007).VHS. btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, unions, workplace rights, workplace relations, fair work act, work choices, combet, greg, howard, john, prime minister, actu, australian council of trade unions, australian labour movement, alp, australian labor party, liberal party australia, four corners, australian broadcasting commission, abc -
Unions Ballarat
Constructing fear : Australia's secret industrial inquisition, Loh, Joe et al, 2005
A documentary about the Australian Building Construction Commission which was a coercive regulatory body empowered to investigate and prosecute breaches of industrial relations laws. It was created to particularly target strong building unions. Penalties imposed by the ABCC were severe - for example, terms of imprisonment and individual fines of up to $28,500 for failure to comply with summonses, refusal to answer questions, and disclosure to others of anything that happened at ABCC's closed tribunal. ABCC was disbanded in 2012, but the Turnbull Coalition government has attempted to revive the organisation in 2016. The failure to obtain Senate approval triggered the double-dissolution of Federal parliament and subsequent election in July 2016.Relevant to the history of unions and industrial relations in Australia. Also relates to government union relations.DVD Front cover: colour picture of a lawyer in court regalia and a howling dog; black and yellow lettering.Front cover: title and maker's name.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, abcc, australian building construction commission, unions, building unions, industrial relations, industrial tribunals, politics and government, howard, john, liberal party australia, cfmeu, cfmeu mining and energy division -
Unions Ballarat
Craig Thomson. Statement to Parliament, 21 May 2012, 21/12/2005
Craig Thomson was a trade union official and subsequently a federal ALP parliamentarian for the seat of Dobell. After allegations of theft and fraud by Kathy Jackson, Thomson addressed parliament prior to the allegations being tested in court; he protested his innocence and highlighted what he believed to be a distinguished contribution to the trade union movement. The courts subsequently found Thomson guilty of fraud and theft during his time at the Health Services Union. The recording contains Thomson's address to parliament (above) that took place on 21 May, 2012.Relevant to the history and conduct of elected officials within the Health Services Union. The recorded speech took place during the Australian Labor Party government (2007-2013) of which Thomson was an MP; he requested suspension from the ALP in April 2012 and became an independent minister.DVD btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, thomson, craig, alp, australian labor party, jackson, kathy, health services union, hsu, federal parliament, unions, misconduct - union officials -
Unions Ballarat
The Whitlam government 1972-1975, Whitlam, Gough, 1985
History of the Whitlam government by Gough Whitlam. Highlights Whitlam's aspirations within a social justice and equality agenda and the frustrations that he faced. The Whitlam government came to power in 1972 after 23 years in opposition. The government was dismissed in 1975 by the governor general - this act was unprecedented.Relevant to the history of government and politics in Australia and especially the ALP.Hardcover book. Front cover: black background; caricature of Gough Whitlam; white lettering.Front cover: author's name and title. btlc, whitlam, gough, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, kerr, sir john, whitlam government - dismissal, alp, australian labour party, social change, social reform, social justice, government, politics -
Unions Ballarat
A documentary history of the Australian Labor Movement 1850-1975, McKinlay, Brian, 1979
... into a three volume set that is known as Australian labor history ...History of the Australian labor movement 1850-1975: -The trade union movement -The Labor Party -The radical left Has since been revised into a three volume set that is known as Australian labor history in documents.Relevant to trade unions, the ALP and the labor movement.Paper; book. Front cover: red background; white text.Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, alp, australian labor party, unions, politics and government, australian labour movement, history -
Unions Ballarat
The Cameron diaries (Don Woodward Collection), Cameron, Clyde, 1990
Clyde Cameron was a cabinet minister in the Whitlam government. The book is a diary that covers the entirety of his political life. The diary includes profiles of a selection of other parliamentarians.Relevant to the history of politics in Australia from the forties until the seventies, especially the ALP. Autobiographical interest - Clyde Cameron.Paper; book. Dust jacket: white background; orange illustration of Clyde Cameron; blue lettering. Cover: orange.Cover: author name and book title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, politics, history, autobiography, diary, alp, australian labor party, parliament, government -
Unions Ballarat
The witless men, 1975
About the ALP in the 1970s, including discussion of the economy and impacts of tariff decisions made by the Whitlam government.Relevant to the history of politics in Australia, particularly the ALP in the 1970s.Paper; book. Front cover: blue background; ; black and caricatures of significant political figures (represented as balloons); a pink jester wearing an "It's Time" badge; pink and black lettering. Cover: author and book name.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, alp, australian labor party, politics, government, whitlam, gough, economy, prime minister, alp - federal executive -
Unions Ballarat
Badge - Badge - Save TAFE, Australian Education Union, 2012
The save TAFE campaign originated in 2012 when Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu announced funding cuts, institutional closures and course cuts in the TAFE sector. The campaign against these changes was particularly passionate in Ballarat with several large rallies. The Ballarat community had its own campaign committee. The Australian Education Union and the National Tertiary Education Union co-partnered in the campaign.Unions' history and activism. Politics - Victorian Government. Education - TAFE sector.Round metal badge; pin on back. Yellow and red background; TAFE4ALL logo; black and white lettering - "SAVE OUR TAFE".btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, baillieu, ted, premier - victoria, liberal party of australia, politics and government, education - tafe, activism - ballarat community, artifacts, federation university - tafe -
Unions Ballarat
Kings' men: Australia's Governors General from Hopetoun to Isaacs (Don Woodward Collection), Cunneen, Christopher, 1983
History of governor generalship in Australia up to 1936 & the changes in function over time.Australian political history.Book; 237 pages. Cover: brown background; colour paintings of Lord Northcote and Lord Stonehaven; white lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, politics and government, governor general, federation australia, constitution - australia -
Unions Ballarat
Charles Joseph La Trobe: Superintendant of the Port Phillip District 1839-1851, Lietenant-Governor of Victoria 1851-1954 (Don Woodward Collection), Gross, Alan, 1956
Biography/historical account of Charles Joseph La Trobe. History and politics - Australia. Biographical interest - La Trobe. References to Ballarat - Eureka Stockade.Book; 157 pages. Dustjacket: green and black portrait of Charles Joseph La Trobe; yellow, black and white lettering; author's name and title. Cover: red background; gold lettering; author's name and title. btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, la trobe, charles joseph, biography, history - australia, eureka stockade - ballarat, politics and government, settlers - australia -
Unions Ballarat
What's wrong with Australia (Don Woodward Collection), Hogan, EJ, 1953
The author, EJ Hogan, is a former premier of Victoria. He was born in Wallace (near Ballarat). He was a member of the Australian Labor Party, but subsequently joined the Country Party after being excluded by the Labor Party in 1932. The book reflects the era in which it was written (1953), providing an analysis of Communism in Australia. The author is anti-Communist.Local interest. Autobiographical interest. Politics. Unions and communism.Book; 187 pages. Dustjacket: yellow background; blue lettering; author's name and title. Cover: green background; gold lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, hogan, ej, state premiers - victoria, alp, country party australia, australian labor party, communism, tramways union, waterside workers' federation, autobiography, unions - history, politics and government, history - ballarat -
Unions Ballarat
Jigsaw: The biography of Johannes Bjelke-Petersen (Don Woodward Collection), Townsend, Derek, 1983
The book is a biography and political history focussing upon the career of former National Party Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Bjelke-Petersen was Country Party/National Party Premier of Queensland for almost twenty years and is renowned for using police to obstruct street demonstrations and his unsuccessful "Joh for PM" campaign (against PM Bob Hawke). He is believed to have been pivotal in the 1975 constitutional crisis that led to the sacking of Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. His wife, Florence Bjelke-Petersen, was a Senator in the Australian Federal Parliament. This biography was written at the time when Petersen was still Premier (1983).Politics and government. Biographical interest.Book; 375 pages. Dustjacket: white background; colour photograph of Joh Bjelke-Petersen shaped like a jigsaw piece; black lettering; author's name and title. Cover: green background; gold lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat regional trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, premiers - bjelke-petersen, joh, senators - bjelke-petersen, florence, biography, politics and government, country party, national party -
Unions Ballarat
Peter Lalor Lithograph, n/d
Peter Lalor rose to fame for his leading role in the Eureka Rebellion at Ballarat in 1854. He is the only outlaw to make it into parliament. The siege of Eureka culminated in November and December 1854 arising as the result of disagreement between disaffected gold miners (led by Peter Lalor) and colonial forces about compulsory mining licences. This lithograph is rare - the only one we are aware of.Eureka Stockade (Ballarat), politics and government (Victoria, Australia).Lithograph - sepia. Picture of Peter Lalor in Legislative Assembly speaker's regalia."The late Hon Peter Lalor, Ex-Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and leader of the Memorable Eureka Insurrection of 1854. Born - Tennikill, Queen's County, Ireland, 1827. Died - Melbourne, Victoria, 1889. Aged 62 years."btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, eureka stockade, lalor, peter, history - ballarat, politics and government -
Unions Ballarat
The reds: the Communist Party of Australia from origins to illegality, 1998
Story of the Communist Party of Australia and its beginnings in 1920 in Sydney. References to Ballarat Trades Hall and associated entities.Relevant to the trade union movement and the Australian political landscape.Paper; book. Dust jacket: brown background; red, black and white lettering; author's name and title. Cover: black; white lettering.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, communist party australia, communism, politics and government, trade unions - australia, trade unions - history, rowe, e.j. - ted -
Unions Ballarat
Of labour and liberty: distributism in Victoria 1891-1966, 2017
Mathews writes about the future of work, social freedom and employment - reshaping of economics to authentically serve the interests of the community. Includes discourse about citizenship and attitudes towards politics and politicians, and history of Catholic social thinkers and activists in Australia. Race Mathews (author) has held many political roles and elected positions at federal and local levels.Political, social and economic relevance.Book; paper. Cover: blue background; white and orange lettering.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, mathews, race, distributism, economics, citizenship, catholicism, politics and government -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph, Jack Palmer, 1950 c
Also five other black and white photographs taken at Snowy Mountain project 6 x 8.5 cmBlack and white photograph taken at sign for Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme in Australian Alpspeople, government -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Photograph, Jack Palmer, 1950 c
Also five other black and white photographs taken at same time of housing at village 6 x 8.5 cmBlack and white photograph of view of village established for workers at Snowy Mountains Scheme Australian Alps Victoriacouncil, government -
Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society Inc.
Book - Local History, Victorian Government Printing Office on behalf of the Government of Victoria, Historical Records Of Victoria, Vol. 3, 1984
pp.xix, 670, paperback book, maps, photos, colour plates, index. A collection of documents concerning the development of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, compiled by the Public Records Office, Victoria.foundation of melbourne -
Ringwood RSL Sub-Branch
Book, Australia in the War of 1939 - 1945. The Government and the People 1939-1941, 1953
Official history of WW2 -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Document - Report, Bill Denham and Trolley Wire, "The First Conference of Australian Tramway Museums Ballarat ", 1975
Has a strong association with the formation of COTMA and the work undertaken by Australasia tramway and rail heritage organisations at the time and the organisers of the first COTMA Conference in 1975.82 page A4 sized bound document - "The First Conference of Australian Tramway Museums Ballarat 25-27 April 1975" . Has a light weight card cover, with black plastic binding/spine strip. Produced by Trolley Wire 1st Conference Proceedings Contents: Acknowledgements Message from BTPS President - Maurice Calnin Convenor's Note - Bill Kingsley List of Museums Invited List of Delegates Conference Minutes of Special General Meeting COTMA Operational Guidelines Papers Wymond - Financing the Railway / Tramway Operating Museum Kahn - A history of experience Breydon - Accounting methods suitable for museum operations Prentice - Tramcar Maintenance - Museum Style Radcliffe - Buses - their preservation and relevance to tramway museums (supplement document_ Rawlings - The formation of an Association of Tramway Museums of Australasia Stamford - Museum Publications Workshops Engineering Cars and Parts Treasury Publicity Management Governments Removals Membership Special Has a red dot, taped onto the spine of the front cover.Inside front cover label "Graeme S. Breydon" and his address and on front cover in pencil, "G.Breydon".trams, tramways, cotma, ballarat, proceedings, conferences -
Otway Districts Historical Society
Book, Reader's Digest Services Pty Limited, The emigrant's friend, or authentic guide to South Australia, 1974
This book is a replica of a booklet printed in the United Kingdom. In 1848, when it was published in London as a guide to prospective emigrants, 23,904 people left the United Kingdom for the Australian colonies and New Zealand. In 1847, with the failure of potato crops threatening famine in Ireland and growing political unrest at home, the British Government had once again encouraged emigration by offering free passage to candidates of 'good character'. Immigration, particularly by the labouring classes, was intended to relieve both the overburdened Mother Country and the colonies which had acute labour shortages. The booklet gives some history of each colony as well as the sale of lands, mines and mining, produce, the price of living, wages and, generally, the situation. The emigrant's friend, or authentic guide to South Australia including Sydney: Port Phillip, or Australia Felix: Western Australia, or Swan River Colony: New South Wales: Van Dieman's Land: and New Zealand. Reprint. Reader's Digest Services Pty Limited; Surrey Hills (NSW); 1974. 40 p. Soft cover. australia; colonies; settlement; nsw; port phillip; western australia; south australia; van dieman's land; new zealand; emigration; immigration; -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - HILDA HILL COLLECTION: BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS, 1921-1922
Series of Black & White Photos Total of 4 of Hill Family & Friends Life Post War Australia. The Government Launch off to Pt. Nepean, Victoria Australia. Zita Rita & Doreen sitting on the beach all dressed in white,one white hat and one darker colour hat, Doreen in white dress standing in garden setting, gable roof line above the fence in background, at 'The Ranche' November 1922. Two boys one standing on the rear of the horse and the other in the saddle, both are wearing grey suits, one standing has light coloured hat, girl is holding the nose of the horse, and she is wearing a white dress with a circular pattern and large dark hat, double gable roofing background trellis fence, Durvol.Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, post war life -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - PETER ELLIS COLLECTION: LETTER BUSH DANCE AND MUSIC CLUB BENDIGO, 28th February 2011
3 Page Letter printed on A4 printer paper. Bearing the letterhead of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. Postal Address Secretary PO Box 922 Bendigo 3552 Telephone number (03) 5442 1153 email [email protected] Mark Maddock Case Officer Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat Government house Canberra ACT 2600 28th February 2011. Dear Mark, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak for Peter Ellis. We know Peter to be a worthy candidate for the award and I think that most people that know him would agree. I had been putting together a nomination for Peter that was suggested by a couple at our club meeting on a night when Peter was not present. Everyone felt that he should have recognition for all the work that he has done and it was unanimously voted on. I was given the job. As someone else has beaten me to it I now can speak for him on my own behalf and in my role as secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter Ellis is a very good friend of mine and I have known him since April 1975 when we met at a Saturday night dance. At that time there was a small group of us that went around the dances. We would go 100kms to find dances that were not on the average programme, dances such as The Lancers, Albert's, Waltz Cotillion and lots of Polkas. We bemoaned the fact that they appeared to be dying out in the Towns and Cities so we tried to get the Bendigo Old Time Dance Club of which we were members, to introduce these dances on to the programme, but they were not interested. After a lot of discussion Peter, Maurie Rayner, myself and several others decided to start our own dance club where we could do the dances that we liked, and to endeavour to keep them alive. We formed the Sandhurst Dance Club in June 1979 (renamed ten years later as the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc.) In 1981 Peter made two attempts to form a band for the club and in 1983 the 'Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band' was born, with Peter as the leader. Later Peter set up a junior section of the Emu Creek Band and some of these children grew up to become competent musicians and leaders of their own bands/Groups. Peter's friendship with the late Harry McQueen of Castlemaine led to and increased knowledge of the dances, calls for the sets and the various tunes used. Peter joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra in late 1979 and travelling around Victoria and interstate with them was of immense help in learning to MC dances, call sets acoustically and in collecting new 'old dances' and tunes. He met elderly MC's who gave him information on the way that they ran the dances in the old days. It was also an introduction to playing items at concerts and in reviving much of the old traditions of the bush. Demand for the tunes for dances led to Peter compiling a series of three books called 'Collectors Choice' which were published by the Victorian Folk Music Club in 1986, 1987 and 1988. 1988 was a very busy year for Peter and The Emu Creek Bush Band as they recorded two double music tapes for the club 'The Merry Country Dance' and 'The Waltz the Polka and all Kinds of Dancing' which were in much demand at the time. Also in 1988 he collaborated with the late Shirley Andrews and they co-authored the book 'Two Hundred Dancing Years and how to celebrate them with a Colonial Ball' for the Bicentennial of 1988. this publication, was instigated by the Government backed Bicentenary Committee, and distributed free to every municipality in Australia. In 1996 The Emu Creek Bush Band and Peter recorded and produced a single CD called a Friday night at 'The Spring Valley Hop'. In 1998 The Bush Dance & Music Club again happily agreed to financially back Peter to produce a series of CDs. The first thing he did was to revive and update the 1988 music tapes for CD. The first of the Qadrille Mania series of double CDs with companion call books was launched in 1999 then in 2000 and 2001. then the triple CD called The Waltz Polka & all kinds of Dances in 2002 followed by the Merry Country Dance CDs in 2005, 2006 and 2007. There were six double CDs and one triple CD produced which was a major undertaking that went on for eight years. The CDs have a great many tunes that Peter collected over the years mixed in with well known tunes and there are very few repeats. During this time we applied for a Grant from the Victorian Government to publish a book on the social History of country dances and dance instructions with Peter as the author. We were successful and published it in 2005. Our CDs and book have all been lodged with the National Library of Canberra as has all Peter's sheet music, boxes of it, as well as everything he has produced. At the 2005 Canberra National Folk Festival, at a meeting of collectors, it was stated that Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library. Peter compiled and produced his own project a triple CD called 'Take Me Back to Bendigo' in 2002. 2006 Peter and Emu Creek Bush Band produced another single CD 'Bush Concert Vol one Back to Goornong'. 2008 A pet project of Peter's was compiling and producing a double CD for the Wedderburn Old Timers it was of all the recorded material performed by them at concerts and taped by friends and fans. It was funded by Gavan Holt a son of the late Lindsay Holt an original 'Old Timer'. Recent publications are a book mainly music 'Music Makes Me Smile' a tribute to Con Klippel and the music of the Nariel Valley near Corryong Victoria. Peter Ellis & Harry Gardner 1998. The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dancing' a sheet music book for musicians supported by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. 2007-8 not sure of year. Peter has been involved over the years in collecting music and dance by himself and also with Rob Willis and the late John Meredith for the National Library in Canberra. He is continually asked for information and to write articles for people and to verify points re dance and music. He corresponds with like minded people overseas and frequently goes off to Folk Festivals all over the country, usually running dance classes, musician's workshops or just playing for dances. He is an excellent musician and plays Piano, Button Accordion, Concertina, Mouth Organ, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Spoons and the Bones. He is regarded as one of Australia's foremost collectors and presenters of Australian traditional dance tunes, dances and some musical instruments. Over the years I have heard him referred to as the Guru of folk dance and music. Peter lives and breathes for this passion of his and always has several irons in the fire. He is a life member of The Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. The Victorian Folk Music Club, and The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club. He was a recipient of the David Squance Award in 1994 presented by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. Over the last twelve months for the folk magazine 'Trad & Now' he has written articles on the old dances and music and this is an ongoing project. This has led to our clubs present project which is the filming of the dances to be shown on UTube as it is referred to in the magazine. This involves members in hours and hours of practising the dances then filming them, and all with Peter's expert teaching and watchful eye on everyone. The Bush Dance & Music Club are and always have been behind Peter wholeheartedly in everything that he does and we are extremely proud of what he has achieved. His drive and enthusiasm for the preservation of music and dance is catching. People like Peter are absolutely necessary in finding and preserving our Australian Heritage, without them it would be lost forever and Australia would be a great deal poorer for it. The Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. and I fully support this nomination for an award as he is truly deserving of it. Yours sincerely Mary E Smith. Secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter's Timeline. 1979 A Foundation Member of the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. 1979 Joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra. 1983 The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band was formed. 1986 Collectors Choice. Volume one. 1987 Collectors Choice. Volume Two. 1988 Collectors Choice. Volume Three. 1988 Recorded Tapes - The Merry Country Dance & The Waltz Polka & all Kinds of Dances. 1988 A book with the late Shirley Andrews called Two Hundred years of Dancing. 1991 Across to Perth collecting for National Library with the Late John Meredith. 1996 Single CD A Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop. 1998 Music Makes Me Smile. A tribute to Con Klippel 7 music of the Nariel Valley. 1999 Double CD Quadrille Mania 1&2 2000 Double CD Quadrille Mania 3&4 2001 Double CD Quadrille Mania 5&6 2002 His own project triple CD Take Me Back To Bendigo. (Goldrush to Federation and Beyond). 2002 Triple CD The Waltz The Polka & All kinds of Dances. 2005 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 1 & 2. 2002 Book, The Merry Country Dance. 2006 Single CD with Emu Creek 'Bush Concert Vol 1 Back to Goornong' 2006 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 3&4 2007 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 5&6 2007-8-? A book of music, The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dances. 2008 Double CD The Wedderburn Old Timers in Concert.person, individual, peter ellis oam