Ida Haendel, Bendigo Town Hall. Wednesday, 7th May 1958, at 8.15pm. The Australian Broadcasting Commission has pleasure in presenting the First Concert in the International Celebrity Concert Series. Ida Haendel, Violinist. Raymond Lambert, Piano. Programme One Shilling. Article about Ida Haendel including photograph. Article about Raymond Lambert including photograph. Programme and Analytical Notes. The Australian Broadcasting Commission acknowledges with thanks the valuable advice and assistance received from the Music Advancement Society of Bendigo which acts on behalf of Subscribers to the A.B.C. International Celebrity Concert Series. Advertisements: Shell, His Master's Voice, Philips, TAA.entertainment, music, classical

Black and white photographs (s) mounted on rectangular brown board. House, two storey, brick, roughcast above dado height, upper storey has shingles under windows shingles below front gable. Brick verandah piers with wooden freized upperparts. Two stepped masonry approaches, two event verandahs. Roughcast to lower walls below floor level, lower window with six lights [5 leadlighted] On back of photo ' Phillips, Carpenter Street. £2500 sewered with all furnishing including wireless set but not including sewing machine, piano or organ and £3000 with all furniture'. 2012 photo of house attached to record.bendigo, business, t c watts & son

Photograph taken in 1988 of buildings in Sussex Street, Linton: house was previously Bill and Georgie Hall residence and before that a cake shop run by Stella Ralf (Stella Ralf also taught piano). Next to it can be seen the former Bennett garage building. Bennett shop and garage (petrol station) 1920s-1940s. Later (1970s-1981) run as op-shop by Mrs. Surman to raise money for Maxwell Park C.E.B.S. camp. House had a later incarnation as a laundromat in 1980s - at this time many women were still without electricity on outlying farms and house blocks.Colour photograph showing green painted timber house with pitched roof and small verandah, white trim, next to brick building with pitched roof and verandah over footpath, brick pillars. "Stella Ralph's old shop (cake) later Bennett garage"stella ralf, bennett's garage, stella surman, bill hall, georgina hall

A black and white programme with the words, ' Under the auspices of a Bendigo Citizens, Committee. Friday, April 30th, 1909. His Worship the Major, Cr. A. Harkness, Chairman. Cr. L. Semmens, Vice-Chairman. The Hon. R.H S. Abbott, M.L.C., Hon. Sec. Mr. Henry Thomas (Basso Cantante.) Miss Elsy Treweek, soprano. Master W.A. Bennett, solo violin, Mr. E.H. Collett, Tenor Mr. W. Tinkler's Masonic Choir. Accompanists Miss Ella Nicol, Muss Frances Leary. Lipp Piano kindly lent by Messrs, Flight & Co. Inside is the programme itself and on the back cover are some quotes from newspapers relevant to Mr. Henry Thomas.program, music, singing, lydia chancellor, collection, music, event, performing arts, entertainment, programme, program

Certificate from Australian Natives Association Eaglehawk Branch Competitions 1907. Coloured Certificate in green and sepia printed on thick cream coloured card. A wide border surrounds a rectangular illustrated certificate. There is intricate scrollwork with floral emblems, a figure in classical robes holding an artist's palette is standing against a pillar with a lyre and mask on the right hand side and on the left hand side a cherub is singing while playing a lyre. At the bottom in the centre is a drawing of a man standing holding a document. The words Australian natives Association Eaglehawk Branch Competitions 1907 First Prize Awarded to Miss K Foster For Piano Duet open, E Harris President and John Trevean Secretary are printed in the centre.F W Niven & Co Design No 11document, certificate, music

Certificate from Australian Natives Association Eaglehawk Branch Competitions 1907. Coloured Certificate in green and sepia printed on thick cream coloured card. A wide border surrounds a rectangular illustrated certificate. There is intricate scrollwork with floral emblems, a figure in classical robes holding an artist's palette is standing against a pillar with a lyre and mask on the right hand side and on the left hand side a cherub is singing while playing a lyre. At the bottom in the centre is a drawing of a man standing holding a document. The words Australian natives Association Eaglehawk Branch Competitions 1907 First Prize Awarded to Miss M Foster For Piano Duet open, E Harris President and John Trevean Secretary are printed in the centre.F W Niven & Co Design No 11document, certificate, music

This business card advertised the business of Charles Hider who had a stationery and book shop in Liebig Street from the 1860s to the 1880s. (63 Liebig Street today). He also sold photographs and pictures, picture frames, pianos and other musical instruments and homeopathic medicines and was an agent for local newspapers and overseas magazines. The stamp on one side of the card shows Liebig Street spelled ‘Liebeg’, suggesting that the stamp was perhaps made in the 1860s when ‘Liebeg’ was the common spelling of the street name. Charles Hider’s brother James also had a book and stationery store in Warrnambool in Timor Street in the 19th century. This card is of considerable interest as it belonged to Charles Hider, a prominent businessman in Warrnambool in the 19th century. It also shows the type of business card used in the 19th century.This is a small business card from Charles Hider, a 19th century Warrnambool bookseller and stationer. It is buff-coloured on one side with a stamp of Charles Hider on a white background and a sketch of a sprig of daisies with foliage. The flowers are coloured red, white and green. On the other side is information on the items sold in Hider’s shop and other services offered. The information is printed in black on a buff-coloured background. ‘Chas. Hider, Liebeg (sic) Street, Warrnambool’charles hider, warrnambool

Five Musicians. Raffaele Altwegg: cello, Maureen Jones: piano, Brenton Langbein: violin, Ottavio Corti: viola, Barry Tuckwell: french horn. Music Advancement Society Bendigo. Presented throughout Australia by Musica Viva. Program. Five Musicians as an ensemble first sprang to life when some of the Musica Viva Executive took Maureen Jones to supper after her last Sydney Concert. That was in 1970 when she played for us with the Robert Pikler Chamber Orchestra at the Sydney Conservatorium. Development of the idea was not difficult for it only involved a variation pf the we;-tried partnership pf the Tuckwell-Jones-Langbein Trio. . . . Maureen Jones gave her first public concert in Sydney at the age of Six: she played the Beethovan Piano . . . Barry Tuckwell was born in Melbourne and studied at the Sydney Conservatorium. He was appointed t the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15. . . Brenton Langbein studied at the Adelaide Conservatorium and in 1947 was invited to Eugene Goossens to join the Sydney Symphony orchestra where he remained for three years; he then went to Europe where he furthered his studies with. . . . Ottavio Corti although born in Zurich, is of Italian origin. He studied the violin at the Zurich Conservatorium and later under the famed violinist Stefi Geyer. . . . Raffaele Altwegg gained his concert diploma in the cello at the age of 14 at the Conservatoire di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He is solo-cellist of the Collegium Musicum Zurich and . . . Post 1970. Music Advancement Society Stamp on front.program, music, music advancement society bendigo, five musicians. raffaele altwegg: cello, maureen jones: piano, brenton langbein: violin, ottavio corti: viola, barry tuckwell: french horn. music advancement society bendigo. presented throughout australia by musica viva. program. sydney concert. 1970 played for robert pikler chamber orchestra at the sydney conservatorium. -jones-langbein trio. maureen jones first concert sydney at the age of six: she played the beethovan piano barry tuckwell born melbourne studied sydney conservatorium. appointed melbourne symphony orchestra age 15.brenton langbein studied adelaide conservatorium 1947 invited eugene goossens join sydney symphony orchestra europe furthered studies ottavio corti born zurich, italian origin. studied violin zurich conservatorium famed violinist stefi geyer. raffaele altwegg concert diploma cello conservatoire di santa cecilia. solo-cellist collegium musicum zurich

Photos of an event at Legacy House for the Legatees approximately 1992 or 1993.There are flags including the Union Jack, Australian flag, the Navy flag and possibly a French flag. There is a display of military hats as well. Likely to be a 'Dugout Night' where Legatees have a comradeship event around the time of Anzac Day in April. As well as flags there are signs such as 'Tiger Balm, Arrack, Jack Juice, Rice Wine, Suez Canal Water'. Identifiable legatees include John Stevenson (President in 1992), Fred Holdsworth (in airforce cap), Don Simonson (President in 1991) and Charles Munnerley who was chairman of the widows committee for many year to 1993. Also a legatee playing piano. A record of the comradeship of the Legatees.Colour photo x 8 of a legatee event with flags and military hats.legatee event, comradeship, dugout

Certificate from Eaglehawk Branch Australian Natives Associatin Musical and Elocutionary Competitions 18 to 22 July 1904. Certificate is printed on cream card with a decorative red border and printing in red and green. Within the border at the top, the words Eaglehawk Branch are printed either side on the Australian Natives Association crest. Below this are printed the words Musical and Elocutionary Competitions July 18th to 22nd 1904 Honorable Mention To Misses K & M Foster for Piano Duet open. Daniel Murdoch President and John Trevean Hon Sec has been printed underneath. A photograph of the Town Hall Eaglehawk is printed in the lower left hand corner. The building facade is in shot with a karge group of people standing in front.T J Anderson Printer Eaglehawkdocument, certificate, music

Certificate of membership of the Association of Music Teachers of Victoria Limited. Certificate is made of thick cream coloured cardboard and was mounted on another medium in the past. There is an embossed border around the edge and the words Association of Music Teachers of Victoria Limited are decoratively printed in red and black at the top. The words This is to Certify that Mary Foster is a full member of the above Association and is enrolled in the Register as a qualified teacher of Piano & Violin Signed on behalf of the Council follow below. President Harold Elvie, Secretary ?, Treasurer Leslie Curnow? have all signed. The words Melbourne Dated 6th July 1931 follow. A large red seal is affixed to the left hand lower side with the words Association of Music Teachers of Victoria Limited Melbourne are impressed into the seal.Association of Music Teachers of Victoria Limiteddocument, certificate, music

Assorted personal papers, cards and letter belonging to Private John William ELLIS 218,5334 24th Battalion and Australia Flying Corps. Born Rupanyup. Occ Farmer at Nyarrin. Served Gallipoli and Western Front. Returned to Australia 15/2/1918YMCA Aldwych Hut x 2 No 46137 and 46200 Bed only YMCA In the Field notepaper dated Jan 7 1918 handwritten letter in pencil Receipt dated Mar 29 1919 for Australian piano and stool. Four page letter written in pencil dated July 10th France from brother Bob Statement of Account for AIF pay and allowances Pte J W Ellis Card - cream coloured - From the Majoress of Exeter and Committee Wishing you good luck Card - cream coloured stamped in red Massage Dept. Daily Appointment with handwriting in pen Card x 2 one pink one orange Welcome Home - Returned Soldier's Hospitality Committee, FremantleAs abovejohn william ellis, 24th battalion, ww1, personal papers

Undated list of personally owned furnishings at Holmbush found in a file next to letters dated 1943. The piano, musical cabinet, card tables, fire fender and fire irons, wireless, and kerosene refrigerator give an indication of how homes were furnished at the time. Mr Bert Frank was appointed to the role of manager of the Legacy Club Hostel in March 1943 (see 00355.1) and details of his application for the role is also in the archive at 00351. As were the times the wife of the successful applicant was automatically assumed to be working as well but without the acknowledgement of a hired position. As it was a live-in position perhaps this list recorded their personal contents to avoid disputes later on. Legatee Carleton is mentioned as who supplied the fender and fire irons.Demonstrates the frugality with which the first Melbourne Legacy hostel was furnished. Faded white copy paper, black carbon imprint, two holes punched for filing.holmbush, residences, staff, holmbush administration

Object, A Programme from the Gold Rush Days,Traditional songs; local ballads, songs to sing and a dance tune or two, presented by members of The Emu Creek Bush Band (…Plus a ring-in!).Songs include; A Thousand Miles Away, The Miner, Road to Gundagai, Write Me A Letter From Home; and Dollie Gray, Waltzing Matilda,Click Go The Shears, The Drover's Dream, Take Me Back To Bendigo, Bendigo Ballard, Sutton Grange, Rose of Allandale- Waltz, Rakes of Mallow and Finnegans Wake - reel, The Irish Lilt - jig. Words of some songs are inside as well as some music. Players; Olive Dobbyn-Piano; Phyllis Swann-Violin; Jo Johnson-Violin.The sketches are mostly from S.T.Gill 1852-53.Concert on the Diggings( engraving from Illustrated Sydney News).The Emu Creek Bush Bandprogram, music, concert

Yields information the buildings, buildings and scene at the intersection of Sturt and Lydiard St with a tram crossing the road.Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of a postcard - titled ""Sturt Street, Looking West, Ballarat" with ESCo tram No. 16 crossing from Sturt St south side (from Grenville St) into Lydiard St North. Has conductor on rear footstep. Appears to be taken on a hot day. Real Photo Series M 3104. Has a number of horse carts in the photograph. Tram has an advertisement for Suttons Pianos on the roof. Card produced by Valentines & Sons Publishing Co. Ltd. See rear of card for company location details. In the photo are advertisements or buildings for: National Mutual Building, Town Hall, and Marks & Co. Wal has dated the photo about 1921 in his album notes. For rear of postcard - see image i2.trams, tramways, esco, sturt st, lydiard st, town hall, tram 16

Various Arts Bendigo Outwards Correspondence - To: Mailout to District Football and other clubs for show ''No Time On''; Steve Gibbons MP re nomination of Merle Hall for a Certificate of Recognition (for outstanding contribution to AB and the community (July 2001); Cr Weston Mayor COGB, re AB support for Council's application for funding for Bendigo Arts Precinct- Art Gallery Project 1997; 1998/199 Report summary of AB activities calendar for 1999; Roman Rudnytsky re confirmation of concert date Aug 1997; David Scheel re performance 1997; Dr I McBean, University College of Northern Victoria, re re Bluthner piano 'Loan arrangement'' and restoration planned (1991); ''Alexandra''?? March 1991 re performance Agreement and directions;

This artwork was created by French artist Edmé Jean Pigal (1798-1872) as part of a series entitled 'Album comique de pathologie pittoresque'.A framed print depicting a scene from a music room. On the left, a man is waving a violin and bow sitting in front of a music stand. On the right, another man has his hand on his chest and is coughing. A piano, string instruments and sheet music are visible in in the background, and a cello is depicted in the foreground. Text printed above image reads 'ALBUM COMIQUE'. Text printed below artwork reads 'Ambroise Tardieu Editeur & du Battain, No 12/ / Lith. de Langlume & de l'Abbaye No. 4. Larger text printed at the bottom of the artwork gives the title of the artwork: 'L'Asthme'. The print is mounted on card and framed in a gold painted wooden frame. There are two small stickers from Gibson's Auctioneers attached to the rear of the artwork. Two D-ring fittings and a wire are attached to the back of the frame for hanging.

This is an image of a public square on the island of Kos in Greece. Kos was the home of Hippocrates, and the tree in this image is reputedly the plane tree under which Hippocrates sat as he taught his pupils medicine. Hippocrates is known as the "Father of Medicine" for his revolutionary impact on the field of medicine. The letters 'A.P.D.R' printed below the title on this artwork refer to the copyright granted to engravers in France.Black and white engraving of a market square scene on the island of Kos in Greece. A large tree dominates the scene. Below the tree sits a roofed structure with a series of small steps. Water appears to be coming out of a channel of each of the visible sides of the structure, suggesting a fountain. To the left, an array of human figures, horses and a dog sit or stand beneath the tree and on the steps of the fountain. To the right, there are shaded platforms on which people are sitting in groups. There are three dogs in front of the group sitting on a platform at bottom right. Text printed below image reads 'VUE DE LA PLACE PUBLIQUE DE COS/A.P.D.R.' Small printed text below bottom left corner of image is partly illegible, but references the original creator of the artwork, Jean-Baptiste Hilair. Small printed text below bottom right corner of image reads ' Gravé à l'eau forte par C. Weisbrod/ el terminé au burin par J. Aliamet'. Small printed text above top left hand corner of image reads 'Pl. 59.' The print has been framed in a brown wooden frame with gold trim. An old display label is affixed to the back of the object. A card from Professor Franco Crainz is affixed to the back of the object, thanking the unnamed receiver for a reprint of their "interesting paper on D.D.Davis' Obstetric Atlas". The front of the card carries a print of the Temple of Esculapia, located in the Villa Borghese in Rome. A wire and two hooks have been attached to the rear of the work for hanging.

Black and white postcard photograph of the upper structures of a gold mine and surrounding buildings.Printed in red at top of photo: "Greetings From Chiltern" Written on back of card: "c/o Mrs A. Smith. Melbourne Rd. Chiltern | Just a line to let you know I arrived safely and am having a good time. I went to a picnic on Easter Monday and had a great time. Did you go to the sports were they a success. We have plenty of music here Aggie plays the piano and I brought my violin up and a boy staying here from Melbourne sings. Hoping to hear from you soon. Your loving friend etc."chiltern, gold mining, mining industry, chiltern mine

Travelling entertainment has been one popular way that charities have been able to raise revenue over the past 170 years. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind toured regional Victoria regularly to help raise awareness, showcase their talents and fundraise to provide care and education for vision impaired men, women and children. Double sided printed ticket for a concert in the Bendigo Town Hall featuring blind artists and dancers from the Royal Institute of the Blind.Obverse; Under the Patronage of the Mayor and Mayoress (Cr, and Mrs J. A. Michelson) and / Councillors of the City of Bendigo / 30 Blind Artists !! / FIRST APPEARANCE IN BENDIGO of The Famous Orchestra and / Concert Party of Blind Artsits and Blind Children Dancers from the / ROYAL VISTORIAN INSTITUTE for the BLIND, / (ST KILDA ROAD MELBOURNE) / WILL GIVE THEIR / FIRST BENDIGO ENTERTAINMENT / IN THE BENDIGO TOWN HALL, / on TUESDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1927, at 8PM / His worship the Mayor will Preside / Tickets 2/- box plan at the Premier Piano Company from March 14th. / PROCEEDS IN AID OF INSTITUTE S.W Hedger, Superintendent and Secretarymayor and mayoress michelson, vision australia, city of bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo community partnerships, city of greater bendigo events

The City of Ballarat unanimously resolved to erect a Civic Hall in Mair Street in 1951. The architects, Gordon Murphy, of Melbourne, and H.L. and L.J. Coburn, of Ballarat, were commissioned in 1952. The Council constructed the foundations and footings for the building under the supervision of the former City engineer, Mr L.H. Finch, in 1953. These footings are of massed concrete. The design for the building took advantage of the cross fall of the land, providing for the Small Hall to be entered from the Doveton Street frontage through a foyer under the Main Stage, the structure is steel with brick panels, with accommodation for 1,592 persons in the Main Hall and 440 persons in the Lower Hall. The front facade faces Mair Street, set back from the building line to provide for the entrance drive-ways and kerbed gardens. Tenders were invited on a firm price basis. A young Ballarat master Builter, Walter Benbow Trahar was the successful tenderer, the contract price being 139,841 pounds. the work was commenced in 1953 and has proceeded in spite of material and labour difficulties until its completion. The following statistics are of interest:- * The foundations contained 200 cubic yards of concrete. * The constructional steel work weighs approximately 270 tons. * The reinforcing steel 47 tons. * Reinforced concrete in the structure, 1,100 cubic yards. * The approximate number of bricks in the building, 580,000. * The flooring is of selected kiln-dried hard wood and totals 40,000 lineal feet. * The dimensions of the Main Auditorium, 100ft by 86 ft, including the side promenades each 82ft by 13ft. *The Main stage, of reinforced concret with parquette finish measures 62 ft by 40ft. *The floor area of the Lower Hall is 74 ft by 38 ft, and has a stage dimensions of 40ft by 20 ft. * Each hall has independent heating and ventillating systems. Where possible the material in the building was furnished from local business houses. The public address installation, which provided for additional microphones, is on the main Stage. There is inter-communication throughout the building connecting the front office, with the bioscope box, the stages in both the large and lower halls, and the Hallkeeper's residence. Local craftsmen have completed the painting, plaster work, and the electrical installation; local produced materials being used in the construction of the buildings with the exception of the timber for the Main Floor, the roofing and the structural steel. The City of Ballarat Councillors in 1956 were Councillors N. T. Callow, F.J. Cutts, K.C. Webb, W.E. Roff, O.W. Curnow, F.T. Woodward, Allan C. Pittard, A.W. Nicholson, J.A. Chisholm, G.L. Scott, F.W. Oliver, A.D. Mason. The Town clerk was H.R. Maddern and the City Engineer was G. Murrowood. A City of Ballarat Council meeting of 25 September 2013 voted to demolish the Ballarat Civic Hall. The Council heard from nearly 50 members of the public during a marathon six-hour meeting. Councilors John Birt, Des Hudson, Amy Johnson, Josh Morris, Peter Innes, John Philips supported the motion to demolish Civic Hall. Councillors Samantha McIntosh, Vicki Coltman and Belinda Coates voted against the motion.Six page souvenir Program of citizens' entertainment on the occasion of the Opening of Ballarat Civic Hall on in August 1956. The front cover features the City of Ballarat Coat of Arms. The programme starts with a message from the Mayor, Cr Neil T. Carrow. It includes the Concert Programme directed by James H. Davey, an asrtist's impression of the Civic Hall from Mair Street, and information relative to the New Civic Hall. The programme features images of the City of Ballarat Coat of Arms, Cr N.T. Callow, , James H, Davey, and an artist's impression of the Ballarat Civic Hall. Mayor Neil Callow's Message: "To-day, our citizens witness the fulfilment of the most extensive Municipal undertaking in the City's period of recent prosperity and development. Their Hall now fills a requirement of which they have been deprived since the Coliseum building was destroyed by fire over 20 years ago. The building has been designed as an all purpose structure and I am hopeful the citizens will use it and enjoy it to its fullest extent. Your Council and its Architects have planned as broadly as possible for the benefit of all to-day and for years to come. We are proud of the work executed by a Ballaarat Master Builder whose work is a monument to the City's craftsmen. I feel I should also remind this assembly that the women of Ballaarat, back in 1951, provided funds which have been applied in the purchase of a Grand Piano and two Upright Pianos which are now installed in this building. The sincere hope of myself and your Councillors is that this Hall and its amenities will prove of immense value to the development of the cultural and artistic tastes of this community and that it will be freely used for these and many other purposes. From now on this magnificent building and its furnishings and equipment will be available to all. I strongly exhort you to use and protect it. My hope is that the citizens will, for many years to come, enjoy the amenities which it has to offer. ballarat civic hall, civic hall, architecture, finch, art deco, city of ballarat, coat of arms, city of ballarat coat of arms, callow, shugg, lemke, oates, gullan, tuuri, john, robertson, sorrell, antonio, gordon murphy, walter benbow trahar, trahar, coburn, h.l. coburn, l.j. coburn, n.t. callow

This is a programme of a concert called ‘Grand Symphonic Concert and Irish Ballad Night’ staged by the Warrnambool Orchestral Society at the Warrnambool Town Hall on July 10th 1902. The conductor was Louis Bayer (1857-1907). Born in Germany, Bayer came to Warrnambool in 1891 and, with his wife, Eleanor, taught piano. violin, orchestration and singing and established the Warrnambool Orchestral Society. In 1896-7 Bayer was the musical director of the Warrnambool Industrial and Art exhibition, composing the Cantata for the opening ceremony and directing over 60 musical performances, including 22 operas and many concerts. Bayer was a composer and wrote several operas, including one called ‘Federation’. Bayer’s wife was an accompaniste at this symphonic concert and two of his sons played the horn and the drums. The soloists at this symphonic concert included Minnie Sloane, Lucy Meares and J. Robertson. This programme is of great significance as it features a concert conducted by Louis Bayer, one of the most important musicians in Warrnambool’s history. This is a yellow-coloured piece of paper folded in two to make four pages. The pages have details of the concert programme, a list of members of the orchestra, one advertisement and a front page with the concert headings in a fancy border. The pages are somewhat torn at the folds and there is heavy staining, especially on the back page. warrnambool orchestral society, louis bayer, history of warrnambool

This is the original manuscript for the song ‘Back to Warrnambool’, composed for the ‘Back To’ celebrations in Warrnambool in 1930 and reprinted for the ‘Back To’ celebrations in 1934. The song, described as a ‘souvenir foxtrot’ was written by Reginald Stoneham, a professional musician who was engaged to write the song. Reginald Stoneham (1879-1942) was a composer who was Australia’s leading exponent of jazz and ragtime piano styles in the first decades of the 20th century. He composed many tunes for anniversaries and celebrations in country towns and cities in Victoria. The original ‘Back to Warrnambool’ music was given to Henri Worland, the Town Clerk of Warrnambool in 1930 and handed over to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by Keith Arnel, the Town Clerk in 1973. Note that the original song was ‘Respectfully dedicated to the Pioneers of Warrnambool’. This dedication, for some reason, was not printed on the music issued in the ‘Back To’ programs of either 1930 or 1934. This is a significant item as the song ‘Back to Warrnambool’ has great historical significance as it was popular in Warrnambool in the 1930s and 40s and is still played and sung occasionally today. It is one of the two local songs about Warrnambool composed by Reginald Stoneham. The other is the Warrnambool Waltz Song. It is of interest to historians and researchers to have the original music.This is the original handwritten manuscript of the song, ‘Back to Warrnambool’. There are two pages of pre-ruled music score papers, filled in on both sides of the paper. The paper is marked ‘Boomerang Brand No2’. The musical notes and the words of the song are in black ink. The name of the song is outlined in red ink. The first page has the heading ‘Souvenir Foxtrot Song, Back to Warrnambool, Words and Music composed by Reginald Stoneham, 1930, Respectfully dedicated to the Pioneers of Warrnambool’. The last page has the signature of Reginald Stoneham. The first page has the signature of Henri Worland. warrnambool, reginald stoneham, back to warrnambool

This book was given as a school prize to Walter Wright by the Wangoom School in 1873. The name ‘Wangoon’ is on the printed book plate – is this a misprint or an alternative spelling of ‘Wangoom’? Wangoom State School, No. 645, on the Warrnambool/Wangoom Road was opened in 1865 as a Common School. The school is now closed. The Hon. William Bayles, a Melbourne businessman with property near Macarthur, first became a member of the Legislative Council for Villiers and Heytesbury in 1864 and continued until 1880. He was a prominent and popular politician in Warrnambool, regularly giving prizes to pupils of schools in his electorate and in 1872 he offered a £10 prize for the best student in the district. No specific information has been found on Walter Wright or any family named Wright residing in the Wangoom area. There was a piano tuner named W. Wright in the Warrnambool area in the 1870s. Was this Walter’s father? This book is of interest because of the connection with Wangoom School, the Hon. William Bayles and Walter Wright. More interest will be created if information comes to light on water Wright. This is a hard cover book of 333 pages plus 32 pages of advertisements for books published by Henry S. King and Co. The cover is dark red with an ornamental pattern in black on the front cover and lettering in gold on the front cover and spine. The book has three full page black and white illustrations with the illustration next to the first page missing. There is a printed book plate pasted onto the inside of the front cover with blue printing and ornamentation and a handwritten name and date. The cover is partly detached from the binding and the cover and pages are somewhat stained and the cover is frayed. ‘State School, No. 645 Wangoon (sic), Class 3rd, Prize Presented to Walter Wright by the Hon. William Bayles, M.P. for Villiers and Heytesbury, Christmas 1873’. wangoom state school, walter wright

Although the name of the Mayor and Mayoress, and the year of the invitation are not stated, the fact that music was provided by 'Miss Gertrude Emily Johnson' provides a possible clue as to the date. Gertrude Emily Johnson (1894-1973), coloratura soprano and theatre administrator, was born on 13 September 1894 at Prahran, Melbourne. She was a student of (Dame) Nellie Melba at the women's singing school that Melba founded at the Albert Street Conservatorium, East Melbourne (later the Melba Memorial Conservatorium). The date specified in the invitation, Thursday 19th December, indicates that the event was either in 1918 or 1929. As Gertrude Johnson moved to London in February 1921 and returned to Australia in 1935, when she retired from her singing career, it appears likely that the invitation to the mayoral dinner was for 19 December 1918. Elsie Fraser would have accompanied her on the piano.Cream coloured card printed in gold and with Christmas bells and holly in green and red, being an invitation for dinner with the Mayor and Mayoress of St KildaTo mark the Festive Season, and the end of the Year, the Mayor and Mayoress of St Kilda would be very pleased if ... will take Dinner with them in the Mayoress' Room, on Thursday, 19th December, at 7pm. Music by Miss Gertrude Johnson and Miss Elsie Fraser. RSVP before 12th December.gertrude johnson, elsie fraser, st kilda council, st kilda mayoral function