Yields information about the drawings that were transferred to the Public Records Office Ballarat following closure of the Ballarat Tramways and the demise of the SECV itself. Provides information about the BTPS / BTM microfilm holdings., Yields information about the drawings that were transferred to the Public Records Office Ballarat following closure of the Ballarat Tramways and the demise of the SECV itself. Provides information about the BTPS / BTM microfilm holdings.Set of 82 microfiche of SECV drawings, loaned from the Public Records Office, titled "Former SECV drawings c1900-1971", made by Nova Micrographics, North Carlton, early 1990's. First sheet is the PRO index sheet prior to the listing of the microfiche on a separate copy - see Reg Item 4306. Each Microfiche has the heading "Ballarat Tramways - Public Records Office, Ballarat, "Former SECV drawings c1900-1971" and Fiche No on the right hand edge. Each fiche contained within a separate plastic envelope. Two other copies made, one held by the PRO Melbourne and one in Ballarat. For Listing of Drawings see File "List of PROV Microfilmed SEC drawings" in the BTM Management System. Copy of correspondence c2000, with the PRO what had been done etc, see the related files entry - BTM4307doc.pdf.trams, tramways, drawings, public records office, pro, sec

(1) 2 copies and handwritten notes, School of Primary Agriculture and Horticulture Burnley Gardens "Victoria" Jersey Herd Table No 1, Pedigree then Table: No., Name, Sex, Sire, Dam, Dropped, 24 January 1919 -8 August 1947. (2) 3 copies and handwriten notes, "Victoria" Jersey Herd Milk Fat and Butter Records of cows on hand at 8 August 1947 Table 2: Name, Born, Milk Test, Butter Fat, Class, Calved. (3) 3 copies and handwritten notes, "Victoria" Jersey Herd Milk Fat and Butter Records of cows of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th generations Table No 3. (4) 2 copies Table No 4: Pedigree.(5) 2 copies Table No 5: Sires used Table: Name, For Pedigree see -. (6) Book of Standard Pedigree Certificates, some stubs with a name on them, V. Starbright's Flirt, V. Elizabeth Anne handwritten on outside. Second book unused. (7) File: "Stock Breeding Cattle Herd Book (Jerseys)" dated 27 May 1936 to 13 September 1950 includes Correspondence, Notices, Jersey Herd Society, AGM of The Australian Jersey Herd Society (Victorian Branch). (8) File: Stock Breeding Cattle Burnley 1943, dated 4 February 1943-8 August 1951, Livestock returns, Memoranda, sale notices. (9) File: Completed Correspondence Cattle dating from 2 December 1926, drawing of cow with markings of calf to be filled in, photographs of calves, correspondence re purchases and sales of cattle, Pedigrees.school of primary agriculture and horticulture, burnley gardens, victoria, jersey herd, milk, butter, records, cows, dairy, pedigree, pedigree certificates, stubs, v. starbright's flirt, v. elizabeth anne, stock breeding, cattle, australian jersey herd society, livestock, correspondence, friesian, holstein friesian, wedding bell, patti bell, tinkee bell, pattidale, carroway, oakhall, calf

Manufacturing History Museum Victoria|Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen|Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla. This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good.'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good.'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Large electric heater with two radiator bars and a protective grille at the top and false coals at the bottom.Replacements for this fire - Elements No. F314 - Illuminators No. 3P. Berry's Electric Ltd - Volts 230 - 240 -Watts 2000 V/AD/Cat No. 454 . Made in Australia by Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd Melbournedomestic items, heating

Record of Tawonga Public School 1980 Centenary Celebrations. State School: 2282. Ref. Vision and Realisation Volume 3 Page 972 Education at Tawonga in the Kiewa Valley since 1880Folder including coloured photos, newspaper articles, correspondence, program. The folder cover is tornTitle: Tawonga School Centenary 1980tawonga primary school, school centenary

Joseph Edward Teague (1859 -1925) Son of John and Annie Ellison, Joseph was born at Heathcote. Joined the police force in 1890 and had the number 4324. He served at several stations including Elmore and Strathfieldsaye. During his career he received several commendations for arrests and convictions. He left the Police Force in 1912 and died 112/11/1925. He is buried at Fawkner cemetery Two documents. A letter providing the Police Service record of Joseph Teague (1890 - 1912) from Victorian Police to Joseph's sister (Sister Mary Teague) and recollection of his granddaughter sister Mary Smith 25th March 1998 for the Strathfieldsaye 125th Anniversary 1998 recollections of Sister Mary Teague following the 125th Anniversary celebrations of StrathfieldsayeJoseph Teague served at Strathfieldsaye Police Station (26/09/1902 - 5/04/1911)police service record, joseph teague, police stations

A wide range of invoices and business letters from 1913 from 66 companies (predominantly Melbourne based companies) addressed to J.H. Abbott 1913 Company correspondence from 61 companies/organisations addressed to Mr. J.H. Abbott: A John Perry, Timber Bender, Spoke & Nave manufacturers - 6 letters and invoices B James Miller & Co, Rope, Twine & Mat Manufacturers - 2 invoices C Dalgety Company Limited, general merchandise - 6 invoices D Gibbs, Bright & Co., Melbourne - 2 letters E Thomas McPherson & Son (McPhersons Pty. Ltd.), Iron & Machinery Merchants - 2 correspondence & 1 invoice F Bickford, Smith & Co., manufacturers of Safety Fuse, Melbourne - 3 letters G Hopkins Bros & Odlum, Machine Belting Manufacturers, Melbourne, H Stewart & Lloyds (Australia) Limited, Glaasgow - 6 letters I The Federal Manure Co., The Australian Explosives and Chemical Coy. Ltd., Melbourne - 8 letters J Ullathorne, Hartridge Co. Ltd., Melbourne - 2 letters & 2 invoices K Richard Linton, Melbourne - 1 letter & 1 invoice L George Russell Prop. Ltd., Iron & Steel Merchants, General Hardware Importers, Melbourne - 1 invoice & 8 letters M J. Kitchen & Sons Ltd., Candle & Soap Manufacturers Glycerine Refiners & Tallow Brokers, Melbourne - 10 letters N G. G. Crespin & Son, Melbourne - 4 letters O Noyes Bros. (Melbourne) Propy. Ltd. - 3 letters P The Eagle & Globe Steel Co., Melbourne - 4 letters & 1 memorandum Q C.S. Green & Son, 368 & 370 Post Office Place, Melbourne - 1 invoice & 1 memorandum R Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. Proprietary Limited., 382-384 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne - 4 business letters S R.W. Cameron & Co.,34 Queen Street, Melbourne (agent for The Texas Co.) - 2 business letters T Joyce Bros. Ltd., 475 - 481 Flinders Lane (West), Melbourne - 2 business letters U Keep Bros. & Wood, importers of Carriage Materials, 100 Franklin Street, Melbourne - 2 business letters V Lycett Agency Manufacturing Co., P.O. Box 643 G.P.O., Melbourne - 3 business letters W Currie and Richards, Galvanised Iron Merchants, Importers and Spouting Manufacturers, 3 locations Melbourne - 2 business letters X James Outen, Saddlery Goods and Patent Horse and Cow Rugs, 184-186 Queen Street, Melbourne - 2 business letters Y Standard Oil Company of New York, Branch office Australasia, Melbourne - 5 business letters Z Jas. Henty & Co., Manufacturers of Soap, Starch, Candles, Soda Crystals, etc., 95 & 97 William Street, Melbourne - 7 business letters AA John Sanderson & Co., Mercghandise Department 111 William Street, Melbourne - 9 business letters AB Gargoyle Oil Company Pty. Ltd., 90 & 92 William Street, Melbourne - 3 business letters AC Dunlop Rubber Co. of Australasia Ltd.,108 Flinders Street, Melbourne - 3 business letters AD Perry's Australian Fuse manufacturing Company, manufacturers of Safety Fuses for Mining and Other Purposes, Ballarat Road, Footscray - 6 business letters AE Morris & Meeks, Little Collins Street, Melbourne - 4 business letters AF Brown & Dureau Ltd., Mercantile Brokers, Commission and Manufacturers'' Agents, Import and Export, 9 Queen Street, Melbourne - 6 business letters AG Michaelis, Hallenstein & Co. Proprietary Limited, Tanners, Curriers, Leather & Grindery Merchants, Saddlers' Ironmongers, Manufacturers of Glue, Doe Hair & Neatsfoot Oil, 385-384 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne - 2 letters AH Marwald, Son & Lemon, Indenting Agents and Importers, 201-3 William Street Melbourne (Sydney Brisbane, London, Wellington NZ, Fremantle) - 2 business letters AI 32 individual suppliers' invoices and business letters from companies in Bendigo, Melbourne and London (covering a wide range of supplies - glass, rubber, oils, hides, accountants, harvesters, etc.)company invoices and business correspondence

Used by Colin Sach during his employment as Manager of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Melbourne over a period of forty years.Manufacturing History Museum Victoria Commentary: Australian manufacturing history Philip Wollen Many years ago, when I was an ambition young man, I took over a company called Hecla.|This business was formed in 1872, long before Federation was even contemplated. The company established a rich tradition in the Australian manufacturing industry. The prodigious product range included kettles, mixers, toasters, hairdryers, urns, pie warmers, bain maries, and electric blankets for the domestic and commercial market. During the war it even manufactured parts for aircraft. It was one of Melbourne's largest employers.|Hecla was one of the pioneers in TV advertising, led by icons like Bert Newton, Bobby Limb, Evie Hayes and Graham Kennedy who ad Jibbed his way through irreverent and unscripted naughtiness about Hecla electric blankets and foot warmers. The slogan was 'By Hecla, its good1'. One can imagine the fun Bert and Graham had with their double entendres.|In the 60's Hecla entered into a partnership with General Electric and expanded rapidly. The massive factory, on the corner of Alexandra Parade and Chapel Street overlooking the Yarra River was a Melbourne landmark.|The business was formed by one of the scions of Melbourne industry. Mr Marriott was a metal worker of some repute, building the lights in front of Melbourne's Parliament House, the first steam car, the sideboard at the RACY Club, and the first factory to run on electricity.|By the time I acquired the company it was a shadow of its former self, incapable of competing with cheap Chinese imports. Wandering around the warehouse late one night I discovered a large, boarded up storeroom which appeared not to have been opened in decades.|Over several months I combed through the room, unearthing a treasure trove of products from a bygone era. Dusty files, engineering drawings, wooden prototypes, patent records, and correspondence from distributors on every continent.|I decided to track down an old man, Ray, long retired after 50 years with Hecla. He was not well off financially and welcomed the paid work. It turned out that he had done his apprenticeship with the company and there wasn't much he didn't know about it. He had been personally involved in the manufacture of almost every type of product on the Hecla smorgasbord's of products.|So for over 2 years he methodically assembled a mini museum of Hecla products, painstakingly polishing them and ensuring they were in working order. He attached the original brochure of each product and their respective warranty cards. For him it was ,a labour of love. For me it was a fascinating, if vicarious journey, into Australia's manufacturing past.|My colleagues complained that I was wasting money on his salary, our time and factory space on stuff that should have been dumped years ago. I tried to explain that I was merely a steward of the Hecla tradition, not merely an owner. Besides, the look on Ray's face convinced me that there was another dynamic at work. One I could see, but didn't really understand.|After he Passed away I faced a dilemma. What to do with this 'museum' of Hecla history. Nobody was interested.|So I kept the 'stuff' in private storage, hoping that same day someone would be interested in it. And the years passed.|Finally, I had a brainwave. Perhaps the Melbourne Museum would be interested. It was a long shot but I made the call. I had a nagging suspicion that they would think I was simply trying to get them to relieve me of paying for this huge collection to be taken to the tip.|To my surprise they said they would be willing to take a look, I secretly hoped that they would take the whole collection and not leave me with an incomplete jumble of appliances that I would indeed have to take to the tip.|On the appointed day, four serious looking young people showed up. Armed with digital cameras, note books and poker faces they spent four hours analysing the goods and the supporting materials. I asked them if they had any interest and their response was decidedly non-committal. It depends on the acquisitions committee, I was told. I was disheartened and packed up the exhibits to go back into storage.|Imagine my surprise when months later they telephoned to say that they had researched the history of the company, and yes, they would like to take the whole collection. And a truck with 'handlers' would arrive the following day to pick it up. Two years ago all Hecla's archives left me forever and went to the Museum's warehouse.|Well, to my delight I received a call yesterday inviting me to a private viewing of the exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. These young historians had meticulously assembled an impressive display of Melbourne's industry and technology going back to the 1800's. They thanked me like a significant benefactor when it is I who should have thanked them.|I saw the excitement in the eyes of these young people who had somehow managed to dig out and assemble memories from Australia's past. If this is the standard of care that the curators of the Melbourne Museum show all their exhibits, our history is in safe hands.|Their meticulous work took me back to those years long ago when I saw an old man lovingly assembling and cataloging a lifetime of his work.|It took me back to the day when Australians actually made things. Long before we became a nation of quarrymen. Before we became animal-factory 'farmers'. Of a time when products didn't break down, or dumped and replaced before the warranty expired. When men like Mr Marriott cared deeply about what their hands produced.|It reminded me of the call I received from an elderly lady in Tasmania asking for the electrical element for a Hecla K7 kettle. I searched the archives and called her back. The K7 was produced decades earlier and we no longer carried that spare part. She was quite disheartened and told me her kettle had finally 'given up the ghost' and she couldn't bear to part with it. It was a present from her husband on their wedding day 45 years ago. Her final words were 'they don't make them like that, do they? By Hecla they were good1'|I'm glad I followed my instinct and put Ray back on the payroll all those years ago..|I like to think Mr Marriott would have been pleased.Square metal box with electrical elements inside. Used to stand on or to put feet on when sitting. Elaborate pattern in centre with inscription.Hecla Foot Warmerdomestic items, heating

The letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth recognised the significance of William’s brave and courageous lifesaving act to the people of Australia; “They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The story of that brave rescue follows on below … The ship from which the sailors were rescued was the three-masted, iron and steel barquentine the La Bella, built in Norway in 1893. She was one of two iron and steel ships by Johan Smith, The company was one of the leading shipping families in Tvedestrand, Norway. She was significant to Norwegian shipping, being one of only 27 iron and steel ships ever built in Norway. She was registered in New Zealand and engaged from 1902 in inter-colonial trading of timber in the Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia and was often in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. On 5th October 1905, the twelve-year-old La Bella left Lyttleton, New Zealand carrying a cargo of timber bound for Warrnambool, Australia. She was manned by a crew of twelve: the Master, (Captain Mylius, previously 1st Mate of La Bella, appointed Captain to La Bella on 6th February 1903) 2 Mates, Cook, six able seamen, one ordinary seaman and a boy. Bad weather en route caused her to shelter at Burnie on Tasmania's North West coast. On November 10th, the 37th day of her journey, La Bella approached Warrnambool. Captain Mylius steered her towards Lady Bay Channel in heavy south-west seas and evening mist. He ordered the helmsman to steer for the light. As the ship came round, a tremendous sea struck her on the port quarter, causing her to breach broadside in a north-westerly direction into breakers. The helm was brought round twice more, but each time heavy seas broke over her, the third time throwing the La Bella on to a submerged reef in Lady Bay now known as La Bella Reef (about 100 yards from the Warrnambool breakwater). The sea was so rough that it even wrenched a one-and-a-half ton anchor from its fastenings and into the sea. As Captain Mylius headed to the steel wheelhouse, intending to send up a rocket flare, a huge sea slammed the steel door into him (resulting in massive bruising front and back) Despite his injuries he still managed to set off a blue light, which he held up in his hands. La Bella’s lifeboats were filled with seawater and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on the shore that there was a ship in distress. The Harbour Master, Captain Roe (who lived in the Harbour Master’s House opposite Flagstaff Hill), organised a group of volunteers to crew the lifeboat because the trained crew was unavailable; the crewmen were working on a steamer in Port Fairy at the time. He then poured oil onto the water to try and smooth the sea. At around 11 pm three of the crew took shelter in the steel forecastle but the sea crashed into it and broke it up. While the rest of the crew and onlookers watched helplessly in the moonlight the bodies were washed away into the sea, never to be seen again. Some of the crew lashed themselves to the weather rail to keep from being washed away. Watson, the ordinary seaman, became tangled in the rigging lines and was too weak to move, so the 2nd Mate, Robertson, put a line onto him so that he wouldn’t wash off. Around 11 pm three of the crew were unconscious from exhaustion. The situation on La Bella was becoming dangerous. The 2nd Mate moved to the ‘house’ and soon afterwards the ship slipped in the heavy sea. The lashings of the 1st Mate and the ‘boy’ Denham had kept them safe until about 2 am when they were washed overboard; no one was able to help. One by one, the exhausted crew were being washed overboard, too weak to hold on any longer. During the night the La Bella had broken into two and the deckhouse ran out towards the sea. Two more men drowned when trying to reach the lifeboat. By sunrise, the only survivors of the twelve were the Master, 2nd Mate and three seamen. Early in the morning, Captain Roe used the rocket apparatus on shore to try and shoot a line to the ship for a safer rescue but each attempt fell short of the target. Several attempts were made by the lifeboat to rescue the stricken sailors, but the rough conditions made this difficult for the boat to get close enough to the ship and the lifeboat had to return to shore. During a final attempt to reach the ship Captain Mylius ordered his men to jump into the sea. Leonard Robertson, 2nd mate, jumped and swam towards the lifeboat, taking hold of the boat hook offered to him. Oscar Rosenholme managed to reach the boat floating on a piece of timber from the ship’s load and a third survivor, Noake, also made the boat. Along with the lifeboat rescue crew, 25-year-old William Ferrier rowed his small dingy through the heavy seas and managed to rescue the Captain, whom he landed on the breakwater. Ferrier then returned to the ship to attempt a final rescue, losing his oars and rowlocks into the high sea. Using just a spare paddle he skulled towards the La Bella, reaching her stern in time to cut loose the lone surviving sailor, Payne, from the lashing that held him to the ship; the terrified sailor dropped from the ship and into the dingy. Shortly after the last man was rescued, the La Bella was lifted by a huge wave and crashed back down on the reef; she broke up and sank. The ordeal had lasted ten hours. The survivors were taken to the nearby Bay View Hotel and gratefully received warm food and clothing, medical attention and a place to sleep. In the following days, an unidentified body of a young person has washed ashore; it was either Watson or Denham. The body was buried in the Warrnambool cemetery with an appropriate gravestone and inscription. William Ferrier became a national hero as news of the daring rescue spread. In recognition of his bravery in the two daring rescues, he was awarded the Silver Medal for Bravery by the Royal Humane Society and was honoured in the letter from the Prime Minister and the Parliament of the Commonwealth, telegrams and a cheque for £20 from the Governor-General, over £150 subscribed by the public, including Warrnambool and district and readers of The Argus, and a gold medal from the Glenelg Dinghy Club of South Australia. Ferrier’s rescue efforts are one of the most heroic in Victoria’s shipwreck history. (William Ferrier’s son, Frank, received a similar award almost fifty years later when he helped rescue four members of the crew on the yacht Merlan after it ran on to a reef near the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. ) The wreck of La Bella now lies on her port side in 13 metres of sheltered water inside the reef she struck. The bow section is relatively intact and part of the stern has drifted north-easterly towards the mouth of the Hopkins River. The reef the La Bella struck now bears its name. Those five rescued from the La Bella were Captain George Mylius, Leonard Robertson (2nd Mate, 21 years old), R. Payne, Oscar Rosenholme and Jack Noake. Those seven who lost their lives were Mr Coulson (1st mate), Charles Jackman (cook) Gustave Johnson, Pierre Johann and Robert Gent (all able seamen), Harry Watson (ordinary seaman) and Jack Denham (ship’s boy), Captain Mylius was found guilty of careless navigation; he had sailed into the bay without the services of a pilot. His Master Certificate was suspended for twelve months. Later he was also charged with the manslaughter of one of the crew who had died when the La Bella was wrecked but found not guilty. The event’s adverse publicity and damage to his career took a toll on his health and he died of a heart attack six months after the wreck; he was only thirty-seven. His body was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The La Bella was “the best documented of all sailing ships owned in New Zealand”. Her record books, ship logs, correspondence and supporting papers are still available. At the time of the tragedy, she was owned by Messers David C.Turnbull and Co. of Timaru, New Zealand timber merchants and shipping agents, who had purchased her on 13th December 1901. A detailed account of the last journey of La Bella can be read in “Leonard Robertson, the Whangaroa & La Bella” written by Jack Churchouse, published in 1982 by Millwood Press Ltd, Wellington, NZ. As well as this letter, Flagstaff Hill’s La Bella Collection includes a photograph of the wrecked La Bella, a brass rail holder and a postcard of William Ferrier with four of the survivors. Some 15 – 17 ships are believed to have sunk in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the seafloor; the “La Bella” and the “Edinburgh Castle”. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. This original congratulatory letter sent to William Ferrier by the Prime Minister and Government of Australia demonstrates the importance attached to his efforts for Victoria and to Australia. The letter is part of the La Bella Collection and is significant at both a local and state level. Its connection to the La Bella shipwreck and the rescue of five survivors highlights the dangers of Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast. The letter to William Ferrier from the Australian Government acknowledges the bravery of ordinary Australians who risked their lives to save victims of shipwrecks along the coast. The letter is significant to the history of Warrnambool as it honours William Ferrier, a local fisherman whose descendants continue to live in the area. It highlights the way of life of people who lived in coastal towns in 19th century Victoria and the effects of shipwrecks upon them. The letter connects to the postcard of William Ferrier with four of the five rescued crew, the photograph of the wreck of the La Bella and the artefact from the wreck, the rail holder. This letter is significant because of its association with the sailing ship “La Bella”. The “La Bella” is of local and state and national significance. It is one of the only two shipwrecks discovered in Lady Bay, Warrnambool, out of the 15-17 shipwrecks in the bay. Letter to William Ferrier of South Warrnambool from the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament commending him on his bravery. The printed letterhead includes a coat of arms in the top centre and the official address. The letter is very neatly hand written in black pen and includes 4 signatures of Members of Parliament. The rectangular paper is cream coloured with some yellow/brown discolouring. It has the letterhead on the right hand side of it and the written letter begins below the letterhead. The paper has been folded so that the right side becomes the cover page of the letter. The writing is continued onto the inside right hand page of the folded paper and the writing ends here. There is more recent writing on the bottom right hand corner of the back page. The paper has been officially folded in half a total 3 times and there is heavy discolouration on the sections that form the front and back of the folded letter. There is a 4th fold line that is less pronounced that the other folds and would make the paper the size to fit into a pocket. At several fold creases the paper has worn through. The edges of the paper have minor tears. The printed coat of arms is that of the House of Representatives. Underneath is printed “The Parliament of the Commonwealth, / Parliament House / Melbourne”. The hand written, letter is dated “14th November, 1905” and addressed to “Mr. William Ferrier / South Warrnambool” The letter begins “The Speaker, the Prime Minister and Members of the Ministry and its supporters, the Leader and Members of the Opposition, the Leader and Members of the Labour Party, being all the Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Australia” … It continues “desire to express to you their appreciation of your bravery in skulling out to the wreck of the “La Bella” at Warrnambool on Saturday, 11th November, 1905, and recovering therefrom two of the crew who were in imminent danger of their lives. They all feel that your conduct was worthy of the best deeds done by British sailors in the past and they are proud to know that Australia can produce such as you.” The letter is “Signed on behalf of the Members – Speaker (Frederick Holder ), Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Joseph Cook ), Prime Minister (Alfred Deakin), Leader of the Labour Party ( J.C. Watson)” On the back of the letter is blue ink handwriting “OWNER / G. FERRIER / TO. BE. PHOTOGRAPHED / 27-4-76”la bella, william ferrier, bill ferrier, lady bay, 1905, 10th november 1905, 11th november 1905, parliament of the commonwealth, prime minister, australian government, new zealand, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

various Dec 1880 & 1908 business and personal correspondence addressed to J.H. Abbott 14 individual items of correspondence on a wide range of topics from 11 companies/organisations addressed to Mr Abbott: 2 Aug 1880 J.B. Hayman, tanner, currier & leather merchant, 178 Elizabeth Str Melbourne 1 Dec 1880 E.R. Priestley 4 Franklin Str Melbourne. invoice 1 Dec 1880 Gavin Gibson, boot, shoe & leather importer, 36 Elizabeth Str Melbourne - invoice 2 Dec 1880 Gavin Gibson, boot, shoe & leather importer, 36 Elizabeth Str Melbourne 7 Dec 1880 (company not defined) 178 Elizabeth Str Melbourne (J.B. Hayman, tanner, currier & leather merchant) 13 Dec 1880 Alderson & Sons, leather merchants and importers (also stamped Pierre Simonsens, commercial agents, Prahran) 16, 21 & undated - three letters from Ullathorne & Co., wholesale grindery warehousemen. Lonsdale Str, Melbourne 20 Dec 1880 Alfred Harris, leather & boot merchant, 16 Lonsdale Str Melbourne Dec 1880 Wm. Dean & Co., invoice Undated carbon copy of correspondence addressed business 10 & 11 Dec 1908 from Thomas Best, Premier's Office, Melbourne - birthday congratulations and good wishes to Mr Abbottcompany invoices and business correspondence

Seven various Dec 1912 receipts and invoices for business purchases from 5 Melbourne based companies addressed to J.H. Abbott 7 items of correspondence from 5 companies/organisations addressed to Mr. J.H. Abbott: 4 July & 16 Oct 1912 renewal receipts for insurance cover through The State Assurance Company Limited through The Caledonian Insurance Company, 33 Queen Str Melbourne 1 Dec 1912 receipted (3/01/18/03) invoice for goods from The Dalgety Company Limited 1 Dec 1912 receipted (2/01/1913) invoice for tap and pipe goods, from Thomas McPherson & Son 554-566 and 582-588 Collions Str Melbourne 1 Dec 1912 receipted (7/02/1903) invoice for goods from N. Guthridge Limited, 525 Collins Str Melbourne 2 Dec 1912 invoice and receipt (2/01/18/03) for cash purchase for 1 cake box, dozen porridge coupes, 3 broth cups from Thos. Webb & Sons, The Webb Building, 234 & 236 Collins St Melbournecompany invoices and business correspondence