Artist Leonard French said of this work:- "The centre panel suggests a tree of knowledge growing out of a jewelled fish (a spiritual accompaniment is intended), and from the tree birds rise, spreading out through the cloud shapes of the other panels. Hands and figures rise from the earth, reaching for the birds. The left hand panel depicts the journey of figures in a boat, the seeking after or journeying to the source of knowledge. The far right hand panel is the garden, figures in a primitive state, a sort of evolution of figures from a primitive garden (the first garden). Visualization, verbalization, music and dance are tools we have to express a concept. The analysis of an art work is a delicate and sensitive task and great harm can be done in an attempt to become verbal about a form which relies upon elements peculiar to itself for intrinsic meaning." Leonard FRENCH (OBE) (08 October 1928 - 10 January 2017) Born Brunswick, Victoria Died Heathcote, Victoria Known for his enormous dalle de verre (concrete and slab glass) ceiling in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria Leonard French produced a large body of work throughout his lifetime. French won the Sulman Prize in 1960, and the Blake Prize for Religious Art in 1963 and in 1980. He was also awarded a Harkness Fellowship in 1965. In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 1968 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In early 1959 Leonard French was commissioned by the Ballarat Teachers' College students to paint a mural. The students were responsible for the payment of the work. When unveiled artist George Bush remarked: "the 1959 students have left something not just to 'oooh' and 'ah' at, but something that is thought provoking, arresting and interesting. This work of art keeps something in reserve and draws you to search for deeper meaning behind the splendour of colour. This mural is not one which will not fade the interest of its beholders, but one which will provide intrigue for generations to come." Originally French intended the mural to be five panels, each entitled (left to right) 'the Journey', 'Man', 'The Tree', 'The Earth', 'The Garden'. The finished mural was reduced to four panels with the central tree incorporated into the panels 'Earth' and 'Man'. Ballarat Teachers' College Art lecturer Arch Cuthbertson explained that the artist:- "Aims at evoking emotional flashed, opening doors to simultaneous thinking and feeling. To accomplish this he juxtaposes the threads of conscious and unconscious images, thus effecting a tapestry that allows many points of reference to converge upon his singular images. Whether the colours offer metaphysical sensations or convey a literal meaning will depend upon the breadth and depth of the viewer's experience. Similarly with the bird - we might well ask is it a defiance of gravity, a metaphysical ascension or the elusive winged knowledge? Again the answer could well be that these three associations have a singular purpose. " This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.A four panel mural by Leonard French, commissioned and gifted by the Ballarat Teachers' College Student in 1959. Art lecturer Arch Cuthbertson was highly involved in this commission. Artist Charles Bush unveiled the mural at the Ballarat Teachers' College in Gillies Street, Ballarat. At that time he said:- "You have left behind you on object which will be full of interest to a lot of people. A work of art, so long as it is in existence, is constantly under review. Most of the good things that keep on going are usually to the uninitiated a little worrying. Many of you will be worried by this, because it does not make its message immediately clear. But come back and assess it again and again." art, leonard french, french, artwork, mural, ballarat teachers' college, class of 1959

B/W Form Photograph in front of Brick uildingStawell High School Form 1c 1972 Winter uniform 4 rows female students and demale form Mistress (Teacher)education, class photo, stawell high schoool

Printed brochure for Miss Lillie Bush, Teacher of Natural Breathing, Voice Production, and Voice Toning for singing and speaking. ''Lansdowne'', Williamson Street. Terms of payment for various services offered by teacher. ''At home to intending students, Mondays and Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m.''person, individual, bush collection - personal

Newspaper Clipping from "The Post", 23-8-1995, P 15, "Two hands linked for peace"The year 1995, being the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Norwood Secondary Teachers College teachers aimed to increase student awareness of the war years in several ways. The handprints of visiting Japanese student, Tomomi Honda, and year 10 student Hayley Marks, were set in a concrete block in a unique tribute to peace. A Japanese maple tree was planted beside the plaque.

Colour photograph of the 8AG class of 1995 at Williamstown High School. Mounted on card, the teacher and students' names are also included. This item has been laminated.williamstown high school, 1995, year 8ag, class photographs

Colour photograph of the 9SA class of 1995 at Williamstown High School. Mounted on card, the teacher and students' names are also included. This item has been laminated.williamstown high school, 1995, year 9sa, class photographs

Colour photograph of the 9RJ class of 1995 at Williamstown High School. Mounted on card, the teacher and students' names are also included. This item has been laminated.williamstown high school, 1995, year 9rj, class photographs

Black and white photograph group of students, few adults, out in paddock, teacher planting a tree, on Arbor Day 1910c, Moormung School. Bairnsdale Victoriaschools

May be Goon Nure SchoolBlack and white photograph of twenty nine students and male teacher at an unknown school, girls in their white pinafores, some boys with lace collars. Gippsland Victoriaschools

Other Number 02877.3Black and white photograph two students one teacher Secondary College, checking out VCE choices, posters displayed around the college.Lakes Entrance Victoriaschools

Colour photograph showing Music teacher Sue Furlong Taylor, with group of students from Secondary College on a visit to Pre School Lakes Entrance Victoriachildrens services

Colour photograph showing Music teacher Sue Furlong Taylor, with group of students from Secondary College on a visit to Pre School Lakes Entrance Victoriachildrens services

Colour photograph showing Music teacher Sue Furlong Taylor, with group of students from Secondary College on a visit to Pre School Lakes Entrance Victoriachildrens services

Colour photograph showing Music teacher Sue Furlong Taylor, with group of students from Secondary College on a visit to Pre School Lakes Entrance Victoriachildrens services

Colour photo of Prep F. 1991. Teacher Helen Farrow, back row LH side. Three rows of students, photo taken in school library.bendigo, education, maple street primary school

Colour photo o of Grade 2H, 1991. Teacher Mr. Hayes, image shows three rows of students, some in uniform. Pictured in school library.bendigo, education, maple street primary school

A coloured photograph of the students an teachers from Bulla Primary School assembled in the school yard. Everyone was dressed in colonial costume to celebrate an important local event.bulla primary school, bulla

Born in 1911, Cecil Alan Sonsee lived at Springmount near Creswick, and taught natural history at the Ballarat Teachers' College for 30 years. His teaching career stretched over a 48 year period. He spent six years as a student teacher before reaching the position of first class teacher. He had the distinction of never attending a teachers' college, but spending half his teaching career training students to become teachers. At the time of his retirement Mr Sonsee said during his years at the college, "the training had changed from a one year course to a two year course, followed by a three year course, and now a four year course was offered." He recalled "in the early days all country schools had eight grades and a child finished with a merit certificate. Today [1976], children went to high schools from sixth grade and most of the country schools had disappeared.' Alan Sonsee spent 10 years on a television program on BTV6 answering questions sent by viewers regarding aspects of plant and animal live. Mr Sonsee was a life member of both Creswick and Ballarat Field naturalists Clubs. Alan Sonsee died in 1985.1) Foolscap Department of Victoria Ballarat newsletter titled Education 'Regional Views'. The newsletter depicts an image of Alan Sonsee and outlines his career at the time of his retirement on 20 July 1976. The author of the newsletter is unknown. .2) newspaper article on the retirement of Alan Sonsee dated 25 August 1976 (probably from the Ballarat Courier).1) Mr "Nature Man" Retires After a quiet celebration, Mr C.A. Sonsee, a well-known staff member at Ballarat State College, retired from the Victorian Education Department on 20th July, 1976. Alan was the longest serving primary teacher seconded to the State College (Formerly the Ballarat teachers' College), probably the best known and certainly one of the most highly respected educationalists in this region. Leaving Ballarat high School in 1927, he spent the following years teaching at Smeaton, Willowvale, Lawrence (originally called Jerusalem) and Kooroocheang primary schools. However, during the last twenty-nine years, his fame and his influence spread further and further afield. From 1947 to 1976, under a number of principals, Alan endeared himself to thousands of students undergoing their tertiary preparation for teaching. And thousands is the word! Hundreds and hundreds of practising teachers of all ages came to this great teacher again and again for assistance in understanding natural phenomena, a broad field in which he is an acknowledged expert. What undoubtedly made him so accessible to the young and the no-so-young alike was his ready willingness to share with them is rich experience. The warmth of his nature, his kindliness, his dry humour enriched and enlivened the gifts he lavished liberally on all who needed help. Nor did he spare himself in the process. During his ling period of service to teachers, students and some two generations or so of school children, Field Naturalists also, within and well beyond Ballarat, profited from his participation and guidance. A car trip from Ballarat to Lancefield was made unforgettable by Alan's running and lively commentary; the time spent with him viewing and fossicking in an aboriginal flint area is still vivid, thouhg many moons have waxed and waned since then. And who can ever forget his palcid, home;y handling of "Mr nature Man" programmes on BTV 6 for over ten years? his name became a hose-hold word over an existence viewing area in Western Victoria - as his mail bag showed. Mr T. Turner was closely associated with C.A.S. for some twenty-three years as colleague and college principal. Recently tome said, "Alan was highly esteemed by staff and students, When I saw him lecturing I would be struck by the depth and breadth of his knowledge, and by the smooth, almost deceptively simple way he shared what he knew with others. I remember, too, his consideration for the views and the feelings of others; for the tolerance and range of his understanding of human nature. But, above all else, I remember him as a friend." All who know him in any way at all will want to say, "Thanks you, Alan, for everything you did for us. Thank you, Alan for what you are."alan sonsee, ballarat teachers' college, ballarat state college, education, teaching, ballarat field naturalists, creswick field naturalists, aborigines, lancefield flint, smeaton primary school, willowvale primary school, lawrence primary school, jerusalum primary school, kooroocheang primary school, nature studies, mr nature man

Class with two teacher photo and also Student Report card laminated upon black cardboard. From top [a] Class photo with male and female teachers captioned Golden Square Primary School, 1991, Grade 4-5 W. [b] Golden Square Primary School, Student Report Card, December 1997, issued to Cameron Grant, Class 5/6 Grade 5, teacher Shane Rodda. Rod Payne principal. Key learning areas highlighted and ticked according to ability.bendigo, institutions, golden square primary school

Photograph shpws details of sports and formal student and staff attire; several of the group went on to serve their country in the Boer and Great Wars. Formal grouping of 24 students with teacher, sepia photograph, 2 copies; one with simple wooden frame and broken glass covering; one on oversize mount onlyTitle on photograph: Ballarat College-Premiers, 1889 Names at base of photograph: A Young, H Levien, J Cameron, A Bregazzi, G Esplin, Mr Thompson, T Hood, J Hargreaves, B Martin, P Hotchin, A Greenfield, A Stephens, D McClelland, J Olney, T Cowan, D Smith (Capt), J Rintoule, H O'Farrell, F Anderson, G Holgate, H Hunt, W Smith, J Southern, R Irwin Printed at base of photograph: A FLEGELTAUB. PHOTOGRAPHERballarat-college, football, premiers, 1889, flegeltaub, thompson, young, levien, cameron, bregazzi, esplin, hood, hargreaves, martin, hotchin, greenfield, stephens, mcclelland, olney, cowan, smith, rintoule, o'farrell, anderson, holgate, hunt, irwin, southern

Golden Square 1974 pupils with teacher photocopy laminated on green cardboard together with photocopy from newspaper cutting illustrating four former students at 1973 centenary.bendigo, institutions, golden square primary school

Large black and white photograph of Collingwood Technical College teacher Ray Collier entertaining secondary school students, possibly drama class. Scott p.68collingwood technical college, buildings, boot and shoe building, staff, performing arts, nmit

colour photo of Grade 4/5D, 1991. Three rows of students pictured in the school library., teacher Mr. B. Dolan, back row LH side.bendigo, education, maple street primary school

Colour photo, Grade 3/4W, 1991, Maple Street Primary School. Teacher Mr. G.Wood, three rows of students in uniform, pictured in the school library.bendigo, education, maple street primary school