“The Squadron’s Most Prestigious Trophy” THE CACTUS STORY Years ago a story was told of a Donkey which lived in the desert. The standard of living was poor, and the main course on the menu when things were tough was cactus. The Donkey accepted the good with the bad, and in bad seasons it was always cactus. One day during his wanderings he came to a high fence. On the other side of the fence was lush grass and all sorts of vegetation and animals in prime condition. The Donkey said to a horse, “things look good in there, how does one get in”. The horse said “go down to the end of this fence, and you will come to a gate, there will be someone at the get, ask to get in”. The Donkey went to the end of the fence, found the gate and asked to get in. The horse at the gate said, “what do you want to come in for, all of us are geldings?”. The Donkey said “if that is the case, it is back to the cactus for me”. It was during the early stages of the great depression of 1929-1932, that this story was simulated to the conditions at the then Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club, when during the yachting season there were very few trophies due to the lack of money. A lot of members were out of work, and each Monday many would front up for the jobs that were offering or those who missed out went back to the dole or as many put it “Back to the Cactus”. The “Cactus Cup” race, to be free of entrance fees, was an idea conceived by H.A. (Toby) Armstrong, soon to be backed by Bert Bryant, Ivor Bowles and Jim Thorpe. It was First sailed March 25, 1922, when 9 yachts on sealed handicaps, raced over a 5 mile rectangular course for a small Trophy donated by Jim E. Thorpe and the winning crew of the yacht Helen, skippered by D.Dowse, entertained at a café after the race by the instigators of the race. The next contest was April 12, 1930, for another small trophy also donated by Jim Thorpe, and the crew of the winning yacht Petrel, skippered by Stan Gamble, later on having to arrange for a mussel supper to the extent of Trophy money at an informal musical evening held in the spar room. From then on races for the Cactus Cup became an annual event. In time the format was changed to result in the crew of the first winning yacht having to collect mussels from the pier on the first Saturday of July, cook and prepare them for a no charge informal supper and entertainment evening held in the spar room, towards which the Club provided a keg of Beer. Member Bob Ellis had a special song for the occasion, “Up at Tumba Bloody Rumba shooting Kanga Bloody Roos”. Jim Thorpe then agreed to purchase a Perpetual Cup to be named the Cactus Cup. As guest of honor at the Cactus Supper Evening, May 1940, a dinner suit function in the Spar room, he presented the Cup along with Replica to Barney Snider who won with Eun-Na-Mara. Soon entries became few, for reason nobody wanted to win because of the penalty of having to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. In the interest of the contest and its revival, it was decided that the crew of the last yacht to finish had to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. On the death of Jim E Thorpe in 1944, the trophy, along with its annual replicas, were then provided for by Ivor Bowles until his death in 1970. In time for reason of pollution, the collecting of mussels from the pier was discontinued, so Otto Meik the new provider decided that the format be changed and be replaced by a supper on the day of the race, consisting of bottle mussels, beer and frankfurts. Following the death of Otto Meik in 1979, with no provider for the trophy of replicas, the Squadron in the early 80’s broke tradition by introducing race entry fees. In 2006 the Cactus Cup Tradition was reinstituted by a donation from J.H. (Bert) Ferris – RMYS historian. The Cactus Cup is now free to enter once again for all. The race is run early and a late afternoon feast of mussels and frankfurts is eaten afterwards.Deep sectioned Silver Cup, 300mm high to lip, tapering to thick plain stem flaring out to stepped footing, has two shaped handles. Silver Lid with Donkey positioned on shaped dome. Overall height 110mm. Cup stands on 145mm high round black base with stepped footing, surrounded with Silver winner inscription band.ROYAL ST. KILDA YACHT CLUB PERPETUAL CACTUS CUP INAUGURATED 1922 INSTIGATED BY H.A. ARMSTRONG ESQ. ORIGINAL CUP PRESENTED BY J.E. THORPE ESQ.cactus cup, trophy

Original photograph by William Bardwell, with the original image held by the State Library of Victoria. Edited by Richard Conn. Purchased by the Museum.Provides information about the appearance of Armstrong St from the Town Hall. Shows the topography of the area, along with many buildings, including W Milne & Cp and J N Healy in the Hall of Commerce and Doig & Co, Plumbers and Gasfitters.Black & White copy photograph aerial view A4 size, titled ""Ballarat looking north west from the Town Hall ca 1872" looking along Armstrong St. Original photo by William Bardwell.ballarat, armstrong st, w milne & co, doig&co, j n healy

Two maps of seperate parts of Heathmont - Light cardboard backing with handwritten real estate sales notations - 18 home sites on Harriet Street and Armstrong Road and 18 residential allotments on The Outlook and Dickasons Road.

Instruction - 64 pages + light brown card cover centre stapled with cloth binding on outer edge + fold out drawing inside the rear cover, titled "Westinghouse - T5001-1 SM3 Straight-Air Brake Equipment". Dated March 1927. Has a table of contents, outlines the rules of operating brake equipment fitted to tramcars, the SM3 and PV brake valves, SX2 brake valve, locomotive straight air, installation piping, wiring, maintenance - piston travel, lubrication, car tests, hints to Motormen and Conductors and General Hints. Includes instructions on compressors, air intakes, valves, cylinders and governors.On inside cover "Bob Prentice 13 High Street Prahran Vic 3181" and on top of first page "W. Armstrong"trams, tramways, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, westinghouse, air compressors, brakes, instructions, maintenance

Instruction - 92 pages + light brown card cover centre stapled with cloth binding on outer edge, titled "Westinghouse - T5002 - Motor Driven Air Compressors for Electric Railway Service". Dated January 1938". Has a table of contents, giving details for motor driven compressors, DH, D-EG, D-F, D-K, D-4-P, XQ-27, C. air strainers and installation. Includes instructions on compressors, air intakes, inspection and maintenance and disorders - causes and remedies.On inside cover "Bob Prentice 13 High Street Prahran Vic 3181" and on top of first page "W. Armstrong"trams, tramways, electrical engineering, electrical equipment, westinghouse, air compressors, instructions, maintenance

Black and white photograph. Truck with elevated platform on back. Two men wearing overalls and helmets on platform Truck on tram lines in View Point with Armstrong Tyre Service in background. Support pole for wires. Two men and one woman on footpath in background. Inscriptions: in image - 'Armstrong Bendigo Motor Pty Ltd Tyre Service', 'Firestone', 'Firestone Tyres', No. place on truck 'V916/80' On Back 'S'. History of object: James Lerk 18.2.2000 'State Electricity Commission inspecting tram trolley wire, Charing Cross'.place, streetscape, charing cross

North Central Panel Beaters 1987, formerly Charlton Motors Pty Ltd Service StationColour photograph showing North Central Panel Beaters building on the corner of High and Armstrong Sts. Red car in front of shop on High St, blue & white vehicle on LH side on Armstrong St. Sign attached to verandah showing St Arnaud 42. Signage on front window says Mechanical Repairs, Automotive Service Centre, Ph S?. 1389. Safety tape around tree on LH side of photo and barricades on the High St kerb at the end of the verandah. Telstra tower visible in background.north central panel beaters, charlton motors, business, industry, armstrong street, charlton

Black and white photo of View Point, Bendigo. Commercial buildings - National Mutual, Cahill Solicitors, Whelans Solicitors, Colonial Mutual Building, ( Whirrakee Restaurant ) AMP building, Armstrongs Tyres and Army Disposals. Radio Tower.Peter Hyatt 1995place, streetscape, view point/pall mall

Black and white photo of class 3A1 outside the school. All children are in uniform. Two children are identified. Gillian Armstrong is third from the right in the bottom row and Michael Frobisher is second from the right in the back row.vermont high school, schools

Black and white photograph showing members of Safeway Employees Association Mark Watkins, Store Manager with staff members Denise Armstrong, Karen Fenner and Rhonda Creig presenting a $700 cheque to Dawn Norman representing LECHCbusinesses, supermarkets, health services

The shop was located on Armstrong Street. Two of the men pictured are James Burt & Gordon Veal.james veal, armstrong street, building, commerical, persons, shop, butcher

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, ebenezer church, armstrong

Black/white - Front view of Mitcham War memorial showing gate in the fence. Memorial was in Whitehorse Road, Mitcham but moved to Halliday Park in Mitcham Roadwar memorial mitcham, armstrong, ian

Black/white photo of Mitcham War Memorial when it was located in Centre of Whitehorse Road. Since moved to Halliday Park. Note horse drawn cart on rightwar memorial mitcham, armstrong, ian

Black/white of Mitcham War Memorial taken inside fence when Memorial was located in Whitehorse Road, Mitcham. Since relocated to Halliday Park in Mitcham Roadwar memorial mitcham, armstrong, ian

Black/white - Very early photo of beginning of Blackburn Road looking north towards railway crossingblackburn road, armstrong, ian

Diggers & Mining. Stores at the diggings. (Continued) . . . At Ballarat in more lawless days, when Mr Armstrong had it entirely his own way, he used to collect a bundle of faggots, pile them up in the middle of the forfeited tent, and set the whole concern in a blaze - burning them out, furniture, merchandise, and clothing; and yet, even to this, unauthorised as it was, they never offered serious resistance. On the present occasion the culprit seemed to fear that Mr. Armstrong was going to do the, and humbly begged and exemption for his ''traps'', which was graciously granted. In the course of the day this man was fined 100pound (it being a second offence), which he paid before the night; such are the profits of illicit trade . . . These seizures are pretty frequent; Mr. Armstrong tells me he had as many as nine bonfires blazing together at night in various parts. Markings: 34 994.LIF. 5. Used as a teaching aid.hanimounteducation, tertiary, goldfields

Jeffree Muir Pty Ltd was situated in Armstrong Street North. They sold crockery, seeds and hardware.jeffree muir, armstrong street north, ballarat, hardware

The Victoria Hotel was located on Armstrong Street North and was once Davey's Hotel and become the Sporting Tavern.ratcliffe, victoria hotel, sporting tavern, armstrong street north, building, commerical, hotel, public

Licence for use of 11 acres of unused roads in the Shire of Grenville for 3 years at a charge of one pound eighteen shillings and six pence.White oblong paper headed "Unused Roads and Water Frontages Act 1903". Licence number 1767, dated 1st January 1905, issued by Department of Public Works to Armstrong Kerr of Linton. Document is printed on both sides.On back: "2743. A. Kerr".armstrong kerr, agricultural activity, roadside grazing permit

Tiny dark green leather book with gold embossed title of measurements and farming advice. 256 pages plus advertisements.Francis’s Tables and Memoranda for Farmers, Surveyors, Land Agents & etc. Signed inside front cover by J. Armstrong and J. Oswinbook, farming, j. oswin

Black and white photograph"Wriitten on back of photograph" Community Service Awards 1991. Mayor Betty Milton. Nigel Beale accepting award for Clarrie Armstrong.

"With Lucas & Co.'s Compliments Christmas, 1921" Name written on front = Vera Andrew 28 Armstrong Street South, Ballaarat"first world war (ww1), 1914 - 1918, literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat

George Smith and his employees stand outside the Armstrong Street North Seed & Fruit Merchant shop. george smith, building, commerical, garden, ballarat

Photograph of Ballarat tram no.15 seen travelling East on Sturt St, between Armstrong & Lydiard StsYields information about tram 15, late 1940s or early 1950s.Black and white photograph with notes on the rear."71", "KEN MAGOR Neg. No 738"ballarat, ballarat tramways, tram 15, sturt st

Yields information about the appearance of tram 30 towards the end of operation and Sturt St itself.Agfa colour slide, white blue plastic mount. Photograph Monday 14/9/1970, by David Verrier of No. 30 in Sturt St at the corner of Armstrong St with the Town Hall alongside. Note the school boy standing in the front of the tram.On back of slide in pencil "Mon 14/9/70 4 wheeler 30 Sturt St Ballarat"tramways, trams, sturt st, armstrong st, town hall, tram 30