J.Russell Thomson made his fortune from gold mining and was one of Ballarat's great benefactors.While J.Russell Thomson left a generous bequest to be spent on statues in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, it is claimed that he played an active role in the events of the Eureka Stockade.A narrow wide piece of newsprint with a coloured photograph with caption, left hand side, folded and dog-eared right hand side.None. Very likely cut out of the Ballarat Courier newspaper, c2010.doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, gold mining, benefactor, statues, eureka stockade, grave restoration, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, trustees, scottish miner., gardens, ballarat, thomson, courier, john garner collection

Registration of J.R.Thomson's death.This document provides information about J.R.Thomson from an official source.one page photocopyRed asterisk, left margin next to Thomson's name. Over page, across bottom of the page written in black biro: "Obtained 22 Feb 2010 for Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group."doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, registration of death, schedule b, j.r.thomson, 1886., john garner collection, gardens, ballarat, certificate, death

The FBBG History Group found in their research at the Public Records Office of Victoria that the Trustees of Thomson's Estate arranged for the City of Ballarat to undertake the care of Thomson's grave following the transfer of 10 pounds. However, the grave needs restoration and it was found that the Council still bears responsibility for its upkeep.James Russell Thomson had been a generous benefactor to the City but as a bachelor, he had no descendants to care for his grave, which had fallen into disrepair. It was found that the Ballarat City Council still had responsibility for the upkeep of this grave.A one page letter to the Mayor, Councillor Verlin, Ballarat City Council from FBBG and 2 pages of black and white photographs of Thomson's grave and headstone and a coloured photograph of the Thomson tablet at the Town Hall plus a quotation for work needed on the grave.3 corrections in biro to the letter, 2nd and 2nd last line.doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat city council, james russell thomson, noble wilson, public record office of victoria, benefactors of the gardens and their graves, old ballarat cemetery, john garner collection, gradens, ballarat, thomson

Thomas Stoddart was greatly respected and remembered by Ballarat people as can be seen in the commissioning of a bust and marble tablet in his memory.Thomas Stoddart was the first great benefactor of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.1 coloured photographLabel on back, printed in blue biro, "Thomas Stoddart, Grave BOC, March 2007."john garner, doctor, thomas stoddart's grave, old ballarat cemetery, ballarat botanical gardens, benefactor, stoddart collection of classical statues, john garner collection, gardene, ballarat, stoddart

So highly regarded was F.M. Claxton that with his untimely death, public subscription funded the Claxton Memorial Fountain in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. F.M. Claxton was dedicated to transforming the Swamp and Police Paddock in Wendouree into a beautiful Lake and Gardens.One dark coloured photograph.On back of photograph written on attached label, "Claxton Fountain, 2002".john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, lake wendouree, swamp, police paddock, mayor, public subscription, ballarat rowing club, mechanics institute trustee., claxton, gardens, ballarat, john garner collection

F. R. Claxton died at the relatively young age of 56 years and was a civic leader and highly regarded member of the Ballarat Community.F.R. Claxton's untimely death may have been caused by food poisoning not English Cholera as noted the Death Certificate.Schedule B Death Certificate (2 copies) and one enlargement of this Death CertificateOn the back of Claxton's Death Certificate, in black biro "Obtained 22 Feb 2010 for Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens History Group." john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, frederick moses claxton, death certificate, english cholera, lake wendouree, claxton memorial, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

The Claxton monument in front of the Fernery in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens was made to honour a respected citizen and was erected after his death due to public subscription. F.M. Claxton was one of Ballarat's first "tourist ambassadors" and was largely responsible for developing the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and Lake Wendouree.1 page of newsprint with a photograph of Claxton's bust in black and white and 4 columns of print about Claxton. Caption underneath the photograph reads: "Respected citizen: Frederick Moses Claxton's bust at Ballarat Botanical Gardens." page is folded in the middle.2 asterisks in biro, 2nd column, 2nd paragraph and 4th column, end of article.john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, claxton memorial, lake wendouree, fountain, councillor, businessman, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat, ballarat news

The Claxton Memorial consists of a white marble bust and pedestal set on a cement rendered base with pressed cement dolphins, the whole being set on a basalt plinth in a rendered brickwork pond surrounded by a wrought iron fence.The F.M. Claxton Memorial is a significant memorial structure and is of primary significance to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. It is one of the relatively few sculptures which recognise the work and dedication of one of Ballarat's leading figures in the nineteenth century.A coloured gloss photograph of the F.M Claxton MonumentOn the back of the photograph in blue biro is written, "Claxton Monument and Fountain. Photo taken by R.M (R.Mosman, very likely) after extensive restoration work and reopening on 15.8.1997.john garner, doctor, frederick moses claxton, ballarat botanical gardens, claxton memorial, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, lake wendouree, public subscription, restoration, jude schahinger, george seddon., claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

The Claxton Monument and Fountain in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens was recommissioned in 1997 after extensive renovations and a computerised engraving system was purchased for the labelling of plants.The Claxton Monument is an important part of Ballarat Botanical Gardens historic statuary. And the new labelling system would help preserve part of City's history.I page (p.5) of yellowed newsprint with a large black and white photograph of the Claxton Monument to the right hand side. Cut out of newspaper at the bottom.At the top of the page, written in blue biro: "10.30 am 15/8/97 - Joan Garner - President attended by 50 Friends and Garden Staff."john garner, doctor, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, claxton monument, restoration, frederick moses claxton, mayor, computerised labelling system, claxton, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat, courier

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