Rennie Ellis (1940–2003) was as a pivotal figure in Australian visual culture. He was both a documentary photographer and a prominent presence in advertising, television and photography. Ellis was known for his candid documentary images of contemporary Australian life. His photographs of social events, such as music festivals, fashion parades or nightclubs are iconic, but his practice also encompassed the grittier side of life. In his AFL series, Ellis skilfully portrays the nation’s passion for the game, extending his lens beyond the boundary line to showcase the spirited fans alongside the on-field action. In Ellis’ photograph Malcom Fraser, VFL Grand Final 1979 we see a young supporter shake hands with Liberal Prime Minister, Malcom Fraser. In the grand Australian tradition, politicians and PMs are active in the football sphere. This work was shown in the 2017 Counihan Gallery exhibition Leather Poisoning, along with many other works by Ellis capturing the nations love of the game. Donated by the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

2 Raffle tickets Bendigo Easter Fair Society Limited, 1976, cream, blue print. Coloured TV set first prize, valued at $500. Raffle in aid of Bendigo Urban Fire Brigade, Base Hospital, Home & Hospital for the Aged, RSL Building Patriotic Fund, Apex Club Toy Fund, Sandhurst Apex Club, Golden Square Spastic Centre Auxiliary. H.A. Sutton Secretary, W. Robertson, Sec/Treasurer. Promoted by Hargreaves St. Popular Girl Committee.bendigo, bendigo easter fair, raffle ticket 1976

http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/69285 Digital imagesabc, restoration australia, filming, television, program, restoration, heritage, swiss italian, gervasoni, homestead, family

A film of the 43rd Annual Conference of Legacy Clubs ceremony at the Australian War Memorial 1971, addressed by Legatee Rev. Cyril Reeve in a stirring fashion. This film has been digitised to preserve its content. Melbourne Legacy gratefully acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and Public Record Office Victoria for making this possible. Commercially made, sound and faded colour, gone to red 8.09 mins. Production CTC-TV Canberra. The solemn religious ceremony is typical of the 1970s and the film exemplifies the respectful attitudes of the times towards fallen comrades.Blue plastic cannister with large sticker on lid. Fitted blue plastic reel inside, 16mm film, 400 feet. Sticker on lid is as follows: CLIENT: CANBERRA ENTERPRISES / REEL: No. REELS: Copy No. 1 TITLE: FORMA - LEGACY - CEREMONY / colourfilm PTY. Limited / 35 MISSENDEN ROAD / CAMPERDOWN 2050, N.S.W. / AUSTRALIA / PHONE: 51 3208 Also at MOORE PARK / 31 4131 / ARTARMON / 43 5875conference, legatee event

Annual report providing overview of activities and achievements including: turning of the sod at the new Coorparoo site, raised awareness through Gerard Gosens performing on Dancing with the Stars TV program, agreements signed with digital publishers to increase content availability, and profiles of the JO and JR Wicking Trust, Gandel Charitable Trust, Edward Cook, Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Trust, Harry Triguboff and Microsoft Australia who donated this year.1 volume with illustrations providing overview of organisational achievementscorporation records, andrew furlong, cathy heenan, louise curtin, kenny johar, margaret bretherton, renee williamson, anna mccauley, natalie evans, gerard menses, kevin murfitt, gerard gosens, jessica raffa, karl stefanovic, lisa wilkinson, layla bodna, micah cheung, jeffrey carter, dawson ko, ria andriani, gaye gutteridge, janet etchells, lorin nicholson, dean nicholson, jo ann sherman, nick gleeson, susan rafferty, cynthia manson, brian gear, karen clark, cyril lutchner, paul gleeson, roberto scenna, bernie brookes, leigh garwood, david speyer, maryanne diamond, trish egan, michael hansen, julie rae, glenda alexander, stephen cavell, neela datta, professor ron mccallum, owen van der wall, jan lovie-kitchin, lyn allison, keith barton, nick carter, donald fraser, tony hanmer, ross mccoll, theresa smith-ruig, vision australia, annastacia palaszczuk, renee russell

The Mayoral Ball is long held tradition, usually held in the first few months of a new mayors election with proceeds going to a local charity. The 1972 Mayoral Charity Dinner Ball was held at the Bendigo City Town Hall with funds donated to St Luke's Toddlers' Home in White Hills. Catering was provided by the Copper Pot Restaurant, 2 Howard Place, Bendigo and the Frank Charles Orchestra provided the music. 4 minute 24 second black and white 16 mm film in original film can, labelled. 0340a; Label (no longer affixed to can) 0340b Film Can 0340c; Film Reel 0340d; 16mm filmLabel; A / BCV - TV / PRODUCTION / Subject The Mayoral Ball - 1972 / Duration 4 min 24 sec / Bendigo & Central Victoria Telecasters Ltd / Lily Street, Bendigo, 3550 / Phone (ill)3-0584Film Can Lid; EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY Film Reel; tuscan / HUNDRED FEET / Made in Australia by / Australian Reel Co. / Pty Ltd city of bendigo mayor, city of bendigo town hall, city of bendigo events, mayoral ball, mayor elliott, mayoress elliott, elliott collection

A Legacy ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance in 1970. One of the annual "Anzac Commemoration Ceremony for Students" events, held just prior to ANZAC Day. The ceremony provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain an appreciation of the Anzac spirit, the significance of the Shrine and the meaning of Anzac Day. The school ceremony was broadcast on ABC TV and Radio for many years. Pencilled note on cannister lid- “Sir Edward Dunlop”. AKA “Weary”. Maybe he is part of the recording.A record of the promotion and importance of Anzac Day Ceremony for schools. “Weary” of Burma Railway Fame.Cannister metal, colour silver, Spool, plastic, magnetic tapeAustralian Broadcasting Commission, Length28feet 10 inches, Replay Date Fri 24 ? At 3AR (radio station), 1415 AETanzac commemoration for students, dunlop

Image of Ballarat tram 27 at the Mt Pleasant terminus with the driver/conductor putting the trolley pole back on the overhead wire. The pole on the left shows two tram stop signs. The shop on the right has adverts for The Sun, Robur Tea, TV Week and Peters Ice Cream. This photograph was used in an interpretative panel at the terminus installed in 2020 by the local history group. See the second image for it use and the mixed business that operated at this location..Demonstrates an event that happened at the tram terminus for about 66 years - from 1905 to 1966 - changing the pole.Digital image of Ballarat Tram 27 at Mt Pleasant terminus 13-06-1971.trams, tramways, mt pleasant, tram 27, ballarat tramways

Agfa Colour slide, cardboard mount, by Keith Caldwell of:- .1 - W7 1021 turning from Spring St into Bourke St with Parliament House in the background. Route 96. Barriers have been placed around Parliament house prior to an event. Dated 13 March 1960. Trams has adverts for His Majesties Voice (HMV) TV's and radios. .2 - W6 974 from Bourke St into Spring St, showing East Preston, Route 88. Dated 10 March 1960.hand stamped "13 Mar '60" or "10 Mar '60"trams, tramways, spring st, w6 class, w7 class, route 96, route 88, parliament, east preston, tram 1021, tram 974

Founded in1903 when William E.Sessions and some of his family took over E.N.Welch Co. in Forestville. E.N.Welch Manufacturing Company used a local foundry to produce their castings. The foundry owner's son,William E.Sessions, took an interest in horology and ,along with other Sessions family members, bought controlling interest in the E.N.Welch Company., which was a joint stock corporation formed July 6th 1864 to succeed an older private firm who made clocks under the name of E.N.Welch. Elisha N. Welch (1809-1887),had been making clocks at a factory on East Main Street Forestville Conneticut after taking over J.C.Browns bankrupt business around 1856.Under William Sessions management the firm produced all components of their clocks including movements,cases,dials,artworks and castings.In 1930 the company expanded to produce electric clocks,timers for radios,televisions and other devices as well as their traditional brass mechanicial movements.In 1956 Sessions was absorbed by another company while retaining the name and in 1969 the business went into liquidation.Clock is made of black wood with Corinthian style columns,three set on each front corner. These are black metal, and show remains of gilt paint on top of columns.On the base of the clock is carved decoration with similar carvings on each of the four corners of square around clock face.Dial is cream with Roman numerals. the hands are set in gilt centre piece.Below the 12 is the name WELCH.The glass dial cover is edged in gilt. It is spring wound and has settings-day/night,1/2 hour strike(hour on gong -1/2 0n bell), Cathederal Gong, turn back hands. THE SESSIONS CLOCK COMPANY. Successors to the E.N.WELCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY.Forestville.Conneticut.United States of America.mantle clock, the sessions clock company, forestville conneticut united states of america

Steve Lee grew up in Falls Creek and had skis on his feet when he was just two years old. He later became a member of the Falls Creek Race Club and at the age of 14 won State and National Junior titles. After repeated success, Steve was selected to race overseas in the Australian Junior team. He won the Australian Open Championship at the age of 17. For 10 years, Steve never missed a race in the World Cup Circuit. Overall, he claimed 20 top 15 finishes in Downhill, Super-G and combined events. Towards the end of his career Lee swapped the World Cup circuit for the World Pro Tour in the USA, winning the Pro Downhill Tour ‘King of the Mountain’ title. He was also running a photography business in Falls Creek and was also involved in sports commentating on Australian television. This included commentating Alpine Freestyle events at four Winter Olympics and several World Championships. One of these events was the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City in 2002 for which this certificate was awarded.A certificate featuring the Olympic Rings and text on a dark blue background.SALT LAKE 2002 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES JEUX OLYMPIQUES D'HIVER Steven Lee Thank you for your participation in and contributions to the success of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games 8 to 24 February 2002 Salt Lake City, Utahsteve lee, australian olympians, sport commentator

Sanyo was one of the international companies that set up business in Wodonga in the 1970s as part of the decentralisation of industry. The Sanyo Australia Pty. Ltd. factory in Wodonga was officially opened on 25 October 1974 with 35 staff and production peaked in 1976-1977 when it employed 360 people. In the first 10 years, 350,000 televisions were assembled from Japanese parts. The official plaque was uncovered by Victorian Premier Rupert Hamer. In October 1977 there were 79 workers retrenched, followed by 30 in November and 45 in February 1978. In 1978 workers staged a sit-in which lasted over a week, to protest multiple mass retrenchments of staff. The factory stayed open for almost another decade. In 1982 the General Manager of Sanyo was quoted as saying the productivity in the Wodonga factory was 10% higher than in Japan. However by 1984 the number of staff had reduced to 112 and the factory closed in 1987. The premises were taken over by Parker Hannifin and the administration building is now the home of 3D Lanes Bowling Alley. The street in which it is located is now called Sanyo Drive.These images are significant because they document and industry which employed many people in Wodonga in the 1970s and 1980s.A set of black and white photographs of the Sanyo Australia Pty Ltd premises in Wodonga.sanyo, sanyo-guthrie wodonga, decentralised industry wodonga

This altar cloth represents ecclesiastical linen used in the early to mid-20th century. It is used on the altar in the Chapel of St Nicholas Seamen's Church at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. The Missions to Seamen organisation The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has been serving the world's seafarers since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley, who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired because of ill health, others determined that the work should continue, and they founded the Missions to Seamen. It adopted as its symbol a Flying Angel, inspired by a verse from Revelation 14 in the Bible. Today, there are over 200 ports worldwide where the Missions to Seamen has centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s Club offers a warm welcome to sailors of all colours, creeds and races. A sailor can watch television, have a drink and a chat, change money or buy goods from the club shop or worship in the Chapel. In Victoria, the Missions to Seamen still has clubs in Melbourne, Portland and Geelong. The altar cloth represents ecclesiastical linen used in the early to mid-20th century, when the original St Nicholas Seamen's Church was opened in Williamstown, Victoria. Altar cloth: simple white linen cloth, long rectangle shape with wide hems.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, altar cloth, church linen, ecclesiastical linen

Martin Best Consort. Voice, guitar, lute. Colin Bilham; double bass, viola da gamba, bass guitar. Julian Byzantine: Guitar, lute. Christopher Lebon: cello, tenor viol. Alastair McLachlan: violin, viola, folk fiddle, rebec. Rainer Schulein: flute piccolo recorders, crumhorn. Musica Viva Australia. The Martin Best Consort is a unique group of six musicians. Each of its members has brought his own individual talents and experience to bear on its work. The result is one of the loveliest and most unusual textures in British music. Its foundation rests on Martin himself as . . . Program. Sounds And Sweet Airs: a garland for William Shakespeare by Guy Woolfenden. Guy Woolfenden is Musical Director of the Royal Shakspeare Company. As well as his work for them, he has written music for films and television. His musical. . . . Musica Viva gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Music Board of the Australia Council and the State Governments of N.S.W., Queensland , Tasmania and Victoria. The special assistance of the British Council for the tour of the Martin Best Consort is gratefully acknowledged. Post 1977program, music, musica viva australia, martin best consort. voice, guitar, lute. colin bilham; double bass, viola da gamba, bass guitar. julian byzantine: guitar, lute. christopher lebon: cello, tenor viol. alastair mclachlan: violin, viola, folk fiddle, rebec. rainer schulein: flute piccolo recorders, crumhorn. musica viva australia. its foundation william shakespeare by guy woolfenden. royal shakspeare company.. . . musica viva music board of the australia council and the state governments of n.s.w., queensland , tasmania and victoria. british council post 1977

Robin Boyd was involved in creating several TV series for the ABC University of the Air. 'Design in Australia' was an eight part series. (Items D184-D193 contain all the manuscripts except part six titled 'Communications'.) In Part 4, despite various directions in the search of an Australian architecture, Boyd believes that a genuine national style should be grasped in the sculptural and spatial qualities of the buildings rather than iconography or climate-driven designs since Australia has diverse geological condition.This is a draft script for the ABC television program 'University of the Air', subtitled 'Design in Australia', broadcast in 1965.Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, foolscap, 14 pagesRobin Boyd's handwriting, on top right.university of the air, design in australia, robin boyd, australian style, john sulman, hardy wilson, leslie wilkinson, local idiom, manuscript

Two photos of journalist Edwin Maher signing copies of his books for Legatees at Legacy House. Presumably he had attended a Tuesday lunch meeting as a guest speaker. The books appear to be 'Stop the World I want to get on: How to drive yourself sane' (published 1993) and 'The Edwin Maher Scrapbook' (published 1990). Edwin Maher is a New Zealand born TV journalist who was a former ABC presenter. He helped present the Legacy Anzac Commemoration for Students in 1998.A record of a well known person attending Legacy House. It shows that the speakers at Legacy functions were from very different walks of life and the subjects spoken about were many and varied.Colour photo x 2 of Edwin Maher at Legacy House.speakers, legatee event

Articles in annual report include: List of RVIB president, vice president, board of management, medical staff and officers of the institute, honorary officers and consultant medical staff, The president's report, Nursery and school, Employment - the means of independence, Training and rehabilitation centre the rebirth of confidence and skills, Multi handicapped children, Our senior blind citizens the aged are not forgotten, Finance, Our auxiliaries and other helpers, Welfare -an increasing need, Melbourne traditional carols by candlelight, Services and facilities, When you make or amend your will. Events that occurred in 1969 : Alexander Mair died, he was a member of the board of management since 1952, RVIB faced a deficit, to date they did not have to restrict the scope of any of the services available to blind people and it was hoped with increasing support from all sections of the community that they would not have to do so, after 31 continuous years radio station 3KZ decided to discontinue its association with the Melbourne traditional Christmas festival carols by candlelight but in doing so offered the RVIB the rights to continue. It was the first time RVIB hosted and they offered thanks to television channel 0 and radio station 3AW.1 volume of printed text with photographsroyal victorian institute for the blind, annual reports

This transceiver was made by Merv Collins, a long-time resident of Wodonga. His call sign VK3AF) is attached to both of the radios. "Merv" Mervyn Aubrey Lascelles Collins was born near Horsham Victoria in 1922. He and his family moved to Wodonga in 1965 so that he could work at the newly opened TV transmission station at Mt Baranduda, to Wodonga's south. He was passionate about electronics and radio, becoming an Amateur Radio (Ham) operator in the 1950s. He had an amazing understanding of the science, allowing him to build the majority of his equipment from scratch, often without a circuit diagram. Through his resourcefulness, Merv frequently modified old black and white TV's and other equipment destined for landfill, incorporating them into gear ranging from transceivers to test equipment. Merv’s handiwork allowed him to talk to people all around the world. He lived in Leonard Street, Wodonga for over 40 years, and the antennas that rose from the back yard were a local landmark. He passed away in 2010, a proud Wodonga resident and keen "Ham" to the end.This item is significant because it was owned by a local resident who operated it in Wodonga for over 40 years.Two radio transmitters used by a ham radio operator in Wodonga.merv collins wodonga, ham radio transceiver, amateur radio, radio communications

Danish brothers, Moritz, Julius and Jacob Cohn arrived in Bendigo in 1853 and by 1856 started making cider and soft drinks, building a brewery 1880 to further extend their commercial enterprises and stock their hotels with their own brand of beer. Having sent Moritz's son, (also Julius) to Germany to learn to brew, the Cohn Brothers began to produce Excelsior Lager in 1882, which was traditionally served cold, the first time this had been done in Australia. Overtime the Cohn brothers expanded their operations adding cordials and in 1916 produced a non-alcoholic beer to satisfy the temperance activists. Cohn Brothers built an empire of breweries, cordial factories, hotels and liquor stores and ice works. In 1925 they sold the hotels and breweries to Carlton & United but continued to make their other products until the 1970s when the company became part of the Coca Cola Amatil Group. These Cohn's Cobber Member pins relate to the Cohn's Cobbers TV Club which was sponsored by Cohn's Soft drinks. The Cobbers TV Club was an afternoon children's variety program modelled on the Tarax Show. When local TV station BCV8 opened in Bendigo they broadcast Cobber’s teleclub in their afternoon timeslot for young viewers. Jacob Isaac Cohn was born in 1830 (died 1911) in Horsens Denmark and entered the Sandhurst Borough Council in 1863 where he served as a member for three years, returning again in 1887 to serve as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1888-1889. Jacob Cohn was a great supporter of the Mechanics Institute, the Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. It is believed that through his connection with the Mechanics Institute he exhibited some loaned engravings from the Dresden Art Gallery which were then donated to the City of Bendigo, forming the nuclei of the Art Gallery's collection. Jacob Cohn held the position of President of the Art Gallery for 18 years.Two small multi coloured member pins. Gold coloured metal and fastening pin on back. Brown, white and green inner sections with gold text on front.Cohns / Cobber / Membermayor jacob cohn, city of bendigo commerce, cohn brothers, cohns

4 photographs with a note attached to Kevin (Blaze?), (Lecturer) from Joss Tonkin (Archivist) dated 12 August 1998 asking him to identify them. (1) "Still-for making distilled water. Decommissioned about 8 years ago still in situ PSL 2." (2)"Dissecting microscope with light source. Part of the closed-circuit TV system. PSL 2 Current." (3) Drafting table in Lanscape Graphics Room (MB?) Current." (4) "Nursery Office-about 3+ yrs old. It's a computer! Role ? Ask Jeremy Wallace."kevin blaze, lecturer, joss tonkin, archivist, distilled water, dissecting microscope, drafting table, lanscape graphics room, nursery office, jeremy wallace

Set of three Adhesive Label or Signs about safety on Yarra Trams, printed on a vinyl based paper - with the Yarra Trams logo in the bottom right hand corner. Sign of the type with an adhesive back. .1 - in an on-board emergency, notify the tram driver - gives tram number "5113" and 000 number. Printed on Orajet paper - has logo and name on rear. .2 - monitoring of behaviour by TV cameras - with crime stoppers number. .3 - vacating seats for use by passengers with special needs - with definition - notes the 2005 regulations. Two copies of each held.trams, tramways, yarra trams, signs, tramcars, passengers, by laws

Colour photograph of 'City of Ballarat' tram No 671 at St Aidans Drive, following its launch on 4.12.95. TV reporter taking video of front of tram. Carolyn Dean walking by tram. Travis Jeffrey tying trolley rope. Tram has destination of City Circle. Houses and park in background. Photograph is glued to a piece of paper with item No. 469 as well, and a letter from W.Scott to Dave Macartney of 23.1.295 with caption details. Letter has Bill's letterhead - see related documents. If required can be separated from backing paperOn rear in pencil (inside circle) '2' and sticker in bottom corner 'William F. Scott/ 4.12.95, 19'.btm, 671, city of ballarat, launch, tram 671

Robin Boyd was involved in creating several TV series for the ABC University of the Air. 'Design in Australia' was an eight part series. (Items D184-D193 contain all the manuscripts except part six titled 'Communications'.) In Part 2, through a brief discussion of the history of Australian houses, both urban and rural, Boyd points out distinct Australian qualities that differentiate the domestic houses from their European and American origins. Boyd believes that the Australian suburban villa is authentically vernacular in the sense of social phenomenon.This is a draft script for the ABC television program 'University of the Air', subtitled 'Design in Australia', broadcast in 1965.Typewritten (c copy), foolscap, 16 pagesuniversity of the air, design in australia, robin boyd, private home, homesteads, australian home, suburban villa, vernacular, manuscript

The CD-Rom includes a range of electronic correspondence sent 'Big Cats Victoria and Simon Townsend and JohnTurner. Their website states: Big Cats Victoria Southern Australia, including south western West Australia, has a history of reports of ‘panther’ like predators dating back to the later half of the 19th century. The animals were usually described as being of black or tan colouration and with the proportions of a medium sized big-cat such as a Leopard or Puma. The records can be found in newspaper, radio and television archives, Government reports, a very few books and on the internet. The historical material is based on anecdotal reportage and has contributed to the mythification of the subject. Some Government agencies at both State and Local levels (in New South Wales), have collected records of sightings or investigated stock deaths purported to be associated with so called ‘panther’ kills. They remain understandably non committal due to the lack of a specimen of such a predator of undeniable authenticity. While other types of unknown predator have been reported in various parts of Australia they are not the concern of this website. For purposes of economy we, John Turner and Simon Townsend, confine our investigations to western Victoria and south eastern South Australia. (http://bigcatsvic.com.au/) A CD-ROM of multiple emails and image attachments relating to assorted sightings, footprints, killings, etc from big cats in the Otways of Victoria. The electronic mail was sent to 'Big Cats Victoria' Images include: This item is part of the Australian Animal Folklore Collectionaustralian animal folklore collection, ja sharp, simon townsend, neville bayley, st kilda, peter stefanis, toolangi, puma, tom daniel, footprint, pawprint, cryptozoology, rex gilroy, lancefield tiger, anglesea, berringa, matthew charles, jutin fitzclarence, harry carlin, patty smith, johannes beach, nerida, stirling ranges, daryl hardy, brook kelly, carl rose, ashley hall, jonathan smith, sally ballieu, lorraine balck, wayne bower, ian riordon, aleda turna, john turner, dave moyle, ben rayner, stewart leach, colin boord, sheryl mahoney, beech forest, otways, tooborac, geoff black, panther, brad blake, priscilla prescott, beau kapitiany, ramsay hosn, clare jones, darren guthrie, tallarook, josh fairway, linda wescon, lithgow, john turner, southern grampians

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