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

The 8th Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Initially raised in 1914 for the First Australian Imperial Force during the First World War the battalion was completely recruited from Victoria and formed part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. During the war it fought at Gallipoli and in France and Belgium on the Western Front. It was disbanded in 1919, before being re-raised as a Militia battalion in 1921. During the Second World War the 8th Battalion was used primarily as a garrison unit before taking part in the Bougainville campaign late in the war. It was disbanded again in 1946 during the demobilisation process, although it was reformed again in 1948 when it was amalgamated with the 7th Battalion. Today, its honours and traditions are perpetuated by the 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment.Rectangular shaped black and white photograph.THE AUSTRALIAN, May 3, 1941. THE 8TH BATTALION IN CAMP AT ELCHO FARM, GELONG IN 1934. 8th battalion, ww1, australian infantry, lara r.s.l.

The beginning of it all... Anzac Cove where they landed in April 15. In those 295 days, both sides casualties totalled half a million men.The historic photographs on these pages show some of the battles, honours and mateship which are the flesh and blood of our proudest heritage, the Spirit of Anzac. Rectangular shaped newspaper article.ANZAC TRIBUTE.anzac tribute, newspaper article,lara r.s.l. anzac cove.

The Towaninnie Methodist Church no longer exists but on the Towaninnie plains a location sign marks it. In common with many church communities the faithful who met here were very patriotic and their young men were strongly supported when they volunteeered during the Great War of 1914 -'18. This Honour Board once hung on the Methodist Church wall but is now at the Pioneer Settlement,Swan Hill.The actual Honour Board is believed to be the only one of its type with this listing. This photo of it contributes to and is part of a Local, State and National collection of War memorabilia that honours our servicemen and women.Wooden framed Roll of Honour photo - Towaninnie Methodist Church listing of 21 local WW1 servicemen. The memorial has a triangular shaped top and features a simple wooden sculpured bottom edging with the gold inscriptions in 2 columns. Hosking,J.W./ Hosking, J.V. / FALLEN Nalder, J./ Smith,W./ Smith, J./ McPhee,W./ McPhee, A./ Holt,D.A./ Jolley,A./ Nalder,J.Q./ Hosking,J.H./ Dashwood,C./ Ellis,P./ Hercules,R./ White,H. / Mead,W.L./ Wilson,B./ Root,E./ Hosking, F./ Ellis,C./ Pryse,R. Roll of Honour Towaninnie Methodist Church. Hosking,J.W./ Hosking, J.V. / FALLEN Nalder, J./ Smith,W./ Smith, J./ McPhee,W./ McPhee, A./ Holt,D.A./ Jolley,A./ Nalder,J.Q./ Hosking,J.H./ Dashwood,C./ Ellis,P./ Hercules,R./ White,H. / Mead,W.L./ Wilson,B./ Root,E./ Hosking, F./ Ellis,C./ Pryse,R. roll - of - honour, towaninnie - methodist, towaninnie - church, world - war 1, wycheproof - servicemen

This 136-page hard cover book with identical dust cover, written by Rick Grebert. The cover is black with the title and author's name printed in white and features a selection of eight medals worn by Australians. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-129) and index. Back cover features a coloured photograph of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blameynon-fictionThis book covers British Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to Australians, the Australian Honours system, United Nations and NATO Medals awarded to Australians, Foreign Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to Australians, Association and other Unofficial Medals worn by Australians, and the Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards.medals, badges, decorations, australian army, armed forces, australia, rick grebert, ribbons

Hardcover Book of Australian Army Guidons and Colours up to 1972ISBN 0 858870 08 8book, colours, heraldry, guidons, battle honours, army ceremonial, banners, traditions, festberg

This book was produced as a project for the 1915 ANZAC centenary. The book became too unwieldy and was then divided into written information and a CD with the details of each man - name; rank; service number and unit. Almost 2500 names have been traced. For current Australians, the Anzac Centenary is one of the most significant commemorations to take place during their lifetime. It was a time to contemplate the legacy of those who served in World war 1 and those who never returned to their families or friends. This book records that time and especially honours those from East Gippsland.A paper back book, titled "East Gippsland's ANZACS a tribute to those who served in World War 1". On the front cover is a sepia photograph of "Thirty East Gippsland Boys" taken in early 1916 during training at Heliopolis (Greece) before embarkation for France. The book contains a selection of stories from those who served, along with a CD of the names and service records of all of those known to have enlisted from East Gippsland.anzac ww1 military-history--east-gippsland

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

This brass rail holder fixture would have been used to hold the end of a rail in place. There is no information as to where the fitting or rail would have been placed on the ship; sailing ships had many brass fittings. It was recovered from the wreck of the La Bella, which lies at the bottom of the Warrnambool Harbour. Some 15 ships are believed to have been wrecked in Lady Bay, but only two have been discovered on the sea floor; the La Bella and the Edinburgh Castle. Both wrecks are popular diving sites and are preserved as significant historical marine and marine archaeological sites. The story of the final voyage of the La Bella is summarised as follows … 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 being 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 sea water and broke up on their chocks. The blue light was the first indication to people on 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 11pm 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 11pm 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 2am 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 was 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 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. 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. 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. 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 item 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. Brass rail holder from the wreck "La Bella". This rail holder would have been used as a fitting for the end of a rail. It is made up of two parts and looks a little like a goblet in shape. The top is a hollow spherical shape with a circular hole cut out on one side, into which the end of a round rail would fit. There are two gouge marks close to each other on one side of the hole, about one centimetre apart, at 1 and 2 o’clock position. The sphere has a hollow pipe-like stem with a screw thread turned into the outside of the lower section and the bottom of the stem has been flared out after having the base fitted. The base is round and has a mound in the centre. The edge has four evenly spaced fixture holes around its edge. The metal shows signs of pitting and has mild encrustation. The fitting of the base is loose, allowing it to swivel in a complete circle. The top of the sphere is rough and has a dent in it. Underneath the base there is verdigris; some has flaked off and reveals a bright golden colour underneath. rail holder, brass rail holder, la bella, lady bay, norway, 1893, new zealand, captain mylius, william ferrier, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village

A black board with white text about "5RAR "Operation Canberra"6th-10th Oct 1966"5RAR "Operation Canberra" 6th-10th Oct1966 Premilinary clearance of a Mountain prior to Operation Robin. Photos depic the evacuation of wounded 8 platoon soldiers after engaging with VC trail watchers then booby trap explosions on the southern slope of Nui Thi Vai - 8th Oct 1966 A landing zone (LZ) was hand cleared from dense jungle to enable a helicopter to land for evacuation for the wounded.honours and awards, 5 rar

The photo was taken on 'Oxi' Day 28 October 1951 which is commemorated throughout Greece and Cyprus and world-wide Greek communities. The day commemorates the rejection by the Greek prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum presented to him by the Italian ambassador on the 28 October 1940 to allow the Axis forces, namely Italy, Germany and Bulgaria to occupy strategic locations of Greece or face war. A black and white photograph of a crowd of people - men, women and children - gathered around a Greek flag in an open area. A church is visible in the background. High mountains are also visible across the skyline.The original is handwritten across the bottom of the photo in Greek which translated reads: PLATRITHIA. ITHACA 28 OCTOBER 1951.world war 2

ill (maps), p.416.non-fictionRoden Cutler's list of honours is long and impressive, but it is his sole decoration, the Victoria Cross, that marks him as a hero. Colleen McCullough vividly shows us the life and times of the young soldier who came back from the war determined to continue to support his mother, but, having lost a leg, with no idea how to do so. Yet by the age of 29 he was the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, and went on to achieve a distinguished diplomatic career including 15 years as the Governor of New South Wales. His story is embedded in Australian history, and part of it. diplomats - australia - biography, governors - new south wales - biography

index, ill, maps, p.291.non-fictionA listing of the roll, honours and awards and history of the 21st battallion during the first waraustralian army - 21st battalion, regimental histories - australia

This particular aircraft was modified with a search radar in the lower fuselage to help locate and track targets and was then redesignated as a B-24R model. The RAAF took A72-176 on charge in late 1944 and this saw it issued to 7 OTU (Operational Training Unit) based at Tocumwal, south west NSW. The training saw bomber crews learn how to fly the bomber, operate as a team and work with fighters. Towards the end of the war there were up to 50 aircraft located at Tocumwal along with 5000 personnel. A72-176 was noted as flown on training missions by various aircrew.This aircraft is one of the only remaining B-24 bombers in the southern hemisphere and 1 of only 8 remaining B-24 airframes still existing in the world, out of the nearly 19,000 which were originally built. The restoration honours the contribution of one of the RAAF’s main bombers of the WWII era. This restored Liberator aircraft was assembled from parts salvaged from B-24M models, manufactured during the 1940s in the USA. Made from aluminium, the plane is 68 feet long, with a wingspan of 110 feet, and is metallic silver with a distinctive blue and white target design on each side. The aircraft is powered by four wing-mounted engines, and is fitted with 10 heavy machine guns.Registration number on side of fuselage at rear of plane: 'A72-176' Inscription on side of fuselage at front of plane: 'ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE / US ARMY B24-10 CO / AIR FORCES SERIAL NUMBER 44-41956' aircraft, liberator, bomber, wwii

Peter Arnett is an international correspondent for CNN. He is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the George Polk memorial Award, the President's Award for lifetime achievement from the Overseas Press Club, three Sigma Delta Chi awards for foreign correspondence from the Professional Society of Journalists, an Emmy award from the national Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, three ACE awards from the National Cable Television Association and many other honours.war correspondents - new zealand - biography, journalists - new zealand - biography, vietnam, baghdad

This book contains a brief summary of the medals awarded under the Imperial Honours System or, since 14 February 1975, under the Australian Honours System.australia. australian defence force - medals, badges, decorations etc.

Limited edition poster displaying images of Australian Victoria Cross recipientsThe Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the Australia Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service, and to civilians under military command. Being the highest award in the Australian Honours Order of Wearing, the Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other postnominals and Australian orders and decorations. Timber frame containing images of Victoria Cross Medal recipients AUSTRALIAN VICTORIA CROSS AWARDS Limited Edition Seriesvictoria cross, vc

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the Australia Armed Forces. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service, and to civilians under military command. Being the highest award in the Australian Honours Order of Wearing, the Victoria Cross takes precedence over all other postnominals and Australian orders and decorations.Black metal frame containing image of Victoria Cross Medal with two columns of names either side.Australian Victoria Cross Recipients Certificate of Authenticityhowse, bisdee, wylly, bell, rogers, keysor, maygar, jacka, symons, burton, shout, dunstan, hamilton, tubb, throssell, jackson, dartnell, leak, blackburn, cooke, castleton, o'meara, murray, mcnamara, cherry, jensen, newland, kenny, whittle, pope, howell, moon, greive, carroll, inwood, birks, dwyer, bugden, mcgee, peeler, jeffries, mcdougall, storkey, sadlier, ruthven, davey, axford, dalziel, brown, borella, gaby, beatham, statton, joynt, mccarthy, gordon, cartwright, currey, lowerson, mactier, towner, buckley, woods, wark, ryan, maxwell, ingram, sullivan, pearse, edmondson, cutler, edwards, anderson, kingsbury, french, gurney, kibby, gratwick, middleton, newton, kelliher, derrick, rattey, chowne, mackey, kenna, simpson, starcevich, partridge, wheatley, badcoe, payne

Awarded to students on achieving note-worthy results during the school year.A buff coloured card certificate. Printed in black ink, with school logo.Typed onto certificate: Name: Penelope A. Tilbrook Form III. Written in ink: Les J. Bowe (Head Master), 1956williamstown high school, certificate honours

These certificates were awarded to students who achieved a certain standard during the school year. This particular certificate was awarded for 'General achievement in all subjects' in Form 2, 1970.Buff coloured card, printed in navy blue ink with school logo. Hand written in black.See image attached.williamstown high school, linda smallman, honours certificate, 1970

Certificate presented to student at the end of the school year as recognition of high achievement in their studies.Black and white copy of certificate mounted on board.See jpg for all details.williamstown high school, 1954, certificate honours, academic awards, penelope tilbrook

Navy blue cloth covered. bound 313 pages, b&w text and photosworld war 2, war service, teachers, enlistments, honours and decoratons, deaths, victoria

In October 2000, Council invited three artists from the region (Deborah Halpern, Matcham Skipper, Tony Trembath) to submit designs for a sculpture / public art work for the Eltham Town Square. The commission was paid for by supermarket giant Safeway (Woolies) as part of its supermarket permit, which required them to contribute to beautification work in the Town Square.This is the first of three parts. The 'Spirit of Nillumbik' is a celebration of the artistic spirit of Eltham and surrounding communities. Each area is identified through the flora and fauna represented in the panels. The work honours the many creative artists and architects, past and present, who have built homes and shaped lives and livelihoods with their unique creative spirit. Halpern describes her work as a public expression of their individual and collective visions. Halpern acknowledges these contributions to our hand-made history and the influence they have on the character and identity of Eltham and Nillumbik. Five picture and six woven balustrades each made out of welded steel / organic wrought iron and coated with wax. Imagery (flora - plants, landscapes and fauna - animals, birds, reptiles, insects) are all based on the local environment. There is also a relevant aboriginal presence amongst each of the panels. Each panel represents the different areas that make up the Shire. 'Water' for Warrandyte, 'Kangaroos' for Christmas Hills, 'Cockatoos and 'Valley Creek Flats' for Hurstbridge, 'Wombats', 'Bluetongues' and 'Possums' for St. Andrews/Kinglake, 'Orchids' for Panton Hill, 'Cows' and 'Grapevines' for the Kangaroo Gound Hill landmark. N/Apublic art, nillumbik, fauna, flora, wrought iron, balustrade, halpern, laurence, kangaroo, eltham town square, spirit, warrandyte, christmas hills, kangaroo ground, hurstbridge, kinglake, panton hill, water, valley creek flats, cockatoos

In October 2000, Council invited three artists from the region (Deborah Halpern, Matcham Skipper, Tony Trembath) to submit designs for a sculpture / public art work for the Eltham Town Square. The commission was paid for by supermarket giant Safeway (Woolies) as part of its supermarket permit, which required them to contribute to beautification work in the Town Square. This is the second of three parts. The 'Spirit of Nillumbik' is a celebration of the artistic spirit of Eltham and surrounding communities. Each area is identified through the flora and fauna represented in the panels. The work honours the many creative artists and architects, past and present, who have built homes and shaped lives and livelihoods with their unique creative spirit. Halpern describes her work as a public expression of their individual and collective visions. Halpern acknowledges these contributions to our hand-made history and the influence they have on the character and identity of Eltham and Nillumbik. Square floor mosaic. Black and white chequered border. Multicoloured coiled snake intercepted with six multicoloured peaks. Made up of small mosaic tiles and hand painted. Hand painted artist signature bottom right hand side. 'Deborah D. Halpern '01'eltham, halpern, mosaic, snake, square, laurence, painted, tiles, spirit, nillumbik

In October 2000, Council invited three artists from the region (Deborah Halpern, Matcham Skipper, Tony Trembath) to submit designs for a sculpture / public art work for the Eltham Town Square. The commission was paid for by supermarket giant Safeway (Woolies) as part of its supermarket permit, which required them to contribute to beautification work in the Town Square.This is the third of three parts. The 'Spirit of Nillumbik' is a celebration of the artistic spirit of Eltham and surrounding communities. Each area is identified through the flora and fauna represented in the panels. The work honours the many creative artists and architects, past and present, who have built homes and shaped lives and livelihoods with their unique creative spirit. Halpern describes her work as a public expression of their individual and collective visions. Halpern acknowledges these contributions to our hand-made history and the influence they have on the character and identity of Eltham and Nillumbik.Realistic depiction of 'chocolate lilies' in wrought iron (three flowers in bloom, four large buds and six small buds). Chocolate lilies are indigenous to Nillumbik.N/A

Brian Pell, co-founder of Greenlink Box Hill in 988 was awarded an OAM recently (Photo).Brian Pell, co-founder of Greenlink Box Hill in 988 was awarded an OAM recently (Photo).pell, brian, queen's birthday honours 2010, greenlink box hill inc.

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The 1st Contingent departed Fremantle on 7 November 1899 and returned on 29 December 1900. The 2nd Contingent departed 3 February 1900 and returned 8 December 1900. Due to the shortage of khaki material, the 1st Contingent uniforms wore their blue militia tunics, blue puttees and a dark blue puggaree on departure. An Anglo Boer War Service of Reconciliation is held annually on the first Sunday in June at the "Fallen Soldiers" (Boer War) Memorial in Kings Park attended by descendants and representative of all combatant nations. The date selected is the closest Sunday to the date of signing of the Treaty or Peace of Vereeniging (31 May 1902). The culmination of the service is the laying of the Emily Hobhouse wreath.Unique series of stereoscopic images showing both the 1st and 2nd West Australian Mounted Infantry Contingents to the Anglo Boer War. Images contain details of uniforms, accoutrements, camp life, civic honours and departure.2nd Contingent Soldiers in Procession, High Street, Fremantle. Published in Australian Stereoscopic Views, WA Series, Photographed and published by Craig and Solin, Fremantle and KalgoorliePhotographed and published by Craig and Solin, Fremantle and Kalgoorlieanglo boer war, peace of vereenniging, emily hobhouse, 1st contingent wami, 2nd contingent wami