Thomas Pinniger (1828-1927) was born in England and emigrated to New Zealand before coming to Australia in 1852. With a team of 4 he conducted the first geodetic* survey of Victoria. He became the Government Surveyor for Bendigo in 1853 and in 1854 he laid out the plans for the town of Broadford. His son George, became the Victorian Surveyor General 1925-6. * Large scale mapping based on global measurements of large land masses. It allows corrections for the curvature of the earth.Document detailing the history of district serveyor Thomas Wilkinson Pinniger and his family history.

Property of Lot 1 Thomas Bell Darling 1853 1863 Ralph Parkinson 1887 Sold to Richard Manning (Cr and Hotelier) leased by John Walsh Minns family lived at the house in the time of Welsh. C Parkinson died in Jan 1887 Ralph Parkinson was a prominent citizen of Melton and was known for his generosity, and his involvement in the community and the Church of England. He had one daughter, his wife and other daughter died earlier. He died in Jan 1887Photo was taken during the October floodslocal identities, landscapes of significance

'Glenara' is the homestead, which is situated in the Deep Creek valley at Bulla. It was the home of Walter Clark, who moved from NSW to Victoria in 1853 and purchased land on the banks of Deep Creek. Four years later in 1857 his homestead was completed. In the same year Bulla Racing Club held its first annual meet on the property. Later that year, Alister Clark purchased the homestead from the family estate and began developing an extensive rose garden on his property. Alister Clark developed varieties that are adaptable to Australia's climate such as the Lorraine Lee rose and his rose breeding achievements led him to international recognition as a rose breeder of note.A non-digital black and white photograph with a white border of large single story Italianite homestead in a creek valley and surrounded by lightly timbered hillsglenara homestead, bulla bulla, walter clark, alistair clark, roses, rose gardens, deep creek

John Mitchell was born c. 1830 in Cornwall and travelled to Victoria with his father in 1853. Arriving in Bendigo they both worked as blacksmiths before his father returned to Cornwall. John plied his trade in Mundy Street, Bendigo before selling the business in 1865 after 11 years. Upon the discovery of gold in Western Australia, John travelled there and back three times before dying in Bendigo in 1902. He lived in Violet st., and left a wife, Elizabeth Hannah, and daughter, Mrs E Morris. Early business in Sandhurst in 1850s.An account book used by the John Mitchell to record the purchases and services made with his business. Records date from 1859 - 1868. The book has lost its front cover, but the back cover is still attached. The book is made up of several sections stitched together and bound with three pieces of cotton cloth. The pages are light blue with ruled columns. There are alphabetical tabs at the front of the book with lists of names. Individual customers are allocated a double page entry. Pages numbers are written at the top of pages. The book is in very poor condition having obvious signs of water and insect damage with visible patches of mold. The writing in the first quarter of the book is barely legible, remaining pages can be read.bendigo businesses, blacksmith, horse shoer, wheelwright

Henry Christian (c.1809-91) was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Three newspaper articles relating to the Willsmere Swimming Club of which ‘Olly’ Christian was the only life-member. Also of his death in 1930. orlando henry beater christian, willsmere swimming club, christian-washfold collection

Henry Christian (c.1809-91) was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Two newspaper articles about the Willsmere Swimming Club and ‘Olly’ Christian. orlando henry beater christian, willsmere swimming club, christian-washfold collection

George Tibbits, University of Melbourne. Faculty of Architecture, Building and Town & Regional PlanningIndex system that support the research for Beechworth : historical reconstruction / [by] George Tibbits ... [et al]Arranged by street names of BeechworthEach index card includes: street name and number of property, image of property, allotment and section number, property owners and dates of ownership, description of the property according to rate records, property floor plan with dimensions.beechworth, george tibbitsbeechworth, george tibbits

John Owens (1831-1892) was a Welshman who spent 1853-1863 in Australia, predominantly on the Bendigo goldfields.He was a miner who also initially set up a horse drawn puddling machine, although he sold this in 1857. He gave first hand insight into life on the goldfields through letters he wrote home to his parents. He returned to Wales in 1863 and in 1864 he married his uncles widow, Jane Davis. Jane died in 1872 and John then married Mary Ellen Jackson.Letter fromCharles Patersonaccompanying donation of two books 5316.1 Letters from Bendigo 5316.2 Letters from the Bendigo Diggings Both books spiral bound and contain coloured prints & maps. Books enclosed in plastic sleeve.John Owensperson, family, john owens, history-bendigo-goldfields-family-owens

William Ching and his wife Mary migrated from Cornwall to Victoria in 1853. They lived at Buninyong and Geelong before buying farm land at Linton/Happy Valley. The Ching farm was known as 'Ophir Farm'. William Ching died 1917 at Linton age 89. His wife Mary Ching died 1894 age 64 at Linton. William, Mary, and their children Francis William Ching, Mary Ann Ching, and Godiva Marion Ching are all buried at Linton cemetery. Photograph is part of Old Lintonian collection ; No. 23 Sepia photograph of and old white haired bearded man wearing suit.mr william ching snr., old lintonian collection, mary ching

John Wearne migrated to Victoria from Cornwall in 1853. He was living in the Lintons/Smythesdale district by 1858, where he had mining interests. He married Ann McGie in 1865, after his first wife Selina Harris (married 1858) died in 1860. John and Ann Wearne had ten children, all born at Linton. Ann McGie, born in Scotland in 1846, was a daughter of Henry McGie, a sawmiller, who pioneered the use of steam-driven timber-milling equipment in his sawmills in Victoria.Sepia photograph of an older bearded gentleman wearing suit and tie seated with left arm resting on lap, right arm resting on chair arm, and woman wearing glasses and long two piece, long sleeved outfit standing at left of man, her right arm resting on back of chair and left arm hanging by her side."To dear Mrs -?- (name crossed out) from J and A Wearne with best wishes".john wearne, ann wearne nee mcgie

Bank of Victoria Limited (1852 - 1927) From 1852 Melbourne, Victoria To 1927 Registered in Victoria in 1852 by an Act of the Legislative Council, the company commenced operations in January 1853 as the Bank of Victoria. In 1889 the business was registered under the Victorian Companies Act and became known as the Bank of Victoria Limited. 1927 saw the company merge with the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd. https://www.gabr.net.au/biogs/ABE0224b.htm (Guide to Australian Business Records) The Bank of Victoria, Sandhurst, was in View Street on the corner adjoining Rosalind Park. Pay-in slip for gold bullion lodged with the Bank of Victoria Limited to the value of 'twenty pounds', dated 24th May 1926. Written across pay-in slip if 'bullion' on the top left hand corner, and 'duplicate' written broadly across the document. bendigo, margaret roberts, , goldmining, central red white and blue gold mine, bullion, gold, bank of victoria limited

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean, yan yean reservoir

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album of scenic photos of Yan Yean and Warrandyte believed to be donated by Mrs Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage. On the 20th December 1853 Lieut Governor Charles LaTrobe took his spade to turn the first sod of an embankment across the swampy bed of the Plenty River at a lonely place called Yan Yean, in order to create Melbourne’s first water supply. In the early 1850’s water had been drawn from the Yarra which even then was known as Yarra Soup. A convict by the name of James Blackburn produced the basic design for supplying water to Melbourne from a reservoir on the Plenty River at Yan Yean, and later on he was appointed consulting engineer on the project. In 1853 a contract was let for the building of the wall for 91 thousand 575 pounds, and at one stage some 400 labourers were at work in the area. A tramway was constructed to convey stone and other materials from Melbourne. So famous was this magnificent stretch of water that illustrations of the bluestone embankment and tower appeared in London journals Whittlesea Historical Society – Historic items for Diamond Valley Community Radio September 1990 Colour photographyan yean

.1) Foolscap agreement between the Ballarat School of Mines and the University of Melbourne relating to the affiliation and notice of termination of the affiliation, which was signed by E. a'Beckett, Registrar of the University of Melbourne. A red wax seal is attached to the paper by blue ribbon. The seal is housed in a tin. The seal depicts a woman with wings and the words "VicL ACAD: MELB: SIG: 1853. .2) Document on Cuthbert, Wynne, Morrow nd Must letterhead relating to an affiliation between the Ballarat School of Mines and the University of Melbourne, 1894 .3) Typed notes respecting the proposed affiliation of the Ballaarat School of Mines and the University of Melbourne, 1885 .5) Handwritten notes from Cuthbert and Co regarding the termination of the affiliation between the Ballarat School of Mines and the University of Melbourne .6) Document relating to severing the affiliation between Ballarat School of Mines and the University of Melbourne, 1884e a'beckett, seal, university of melbourne, ballarat school of mines, affiliation, cuthberts, cuthbert, wynne, morrow and must, legal, andrew berry, university seal

Four-page typed document with information on the Great Extended Hustlers mine on the Hustlers line of reef. Formed in 1865 closed down in 1925. The mine was located a little to the south of the intersection of Hustlers Road and Anderson Street, North Bendigo. The mine plant and overall history of the mine is detailed in the document. The poppet head was steel, 70 ft high. Rear legs set on top of low mullock heap. Gold was first discovered here in 1853 by Jonathan Harris, who was later joined by two coloured men to whom he later sold out. They in turn sold out to a one-armed man, J. Hustler and Messrs. Latham and Watson. The poppet heads of the Great Extended Hustlers were later removed, and the extra 15 ft of the front lets cut to the Stanfield mine at Long Gully. From there to the Wattle Gully Mine at Chewton.bendigo, mining, great extended hustlers

Black and white copy of a sketch by Mr. J.A. Panton, Resident Commissioner) of the Bendigo Government Camp in 1853. Key to sketch: 1. Gold Office, 2. Guard Room Tent, 3. Officers' Mess Tent, 4. South Australian Commissioner's House, 5. South Australian Gold Office, 6. Sub-inspector of Police, 7. Resident Commissioner's (Panton's) Tent, 8. Assistant Commissioner Cockburn, 9. Assistant Commissioner Barnard, 10. Escort Office, 11. Assistant Commissioner McKenzie, 12. Assistant Commissioner Murray, 13, Officer Commanding Detachment 40th Regiment, 14, Gold Commissioner Jones, 15. Officer's Stables, 16. Inspector of Police, 17 & 18. Police Barrack, 19 Military Barracks, 20. Lockup on Gaol Hill. Purple stamp on back RHSV, Bendigo Branch.place, bendigo, bendigo flat

Colour Copy of Plan of the General Survey from the Town of Malmsbury to the Porcupine Inn, from the sources of Forest Creek to Golden Point, shewing (sic) the Alexandrian Range also Sawpit Gully Bendigo and Bullock Creeks. Handwritten note under the title a follows '' Forwarded to the Colonial Secretary with my letter No A 53/105 dated 30th March 1853 for transmission to the Geological Surveyor. R Hoddle Surveyor General. ' Stamped by Department of Mines Victoria with record#123 in Top right Hand corner. Also contains a catalogue number 2053/M/2. Part of the Contents of a DVD entitled 'Mapping Great Change' - Archival Maps, produced to support an exhibition in the Post Office Gallery Bendigo. A description of the Map, its history and implications for both historical and future discussions is contained in an Essay 'Mapping Great Changes' : The landscape of central Victoria by Gerry Gill.R. Hoddlemap, bendigo, country lands

Photocopy mock up of original booklet of The Bendigo Historical Society Inc. 'City of Bendigo Historical Walk' containing photographs of historic buildings to be seen on the walk. Front cover Queen Victorian Gardens, Town hall, Mechanics Institute/School Of Mines and Industry, H. M. Prison Bendigo, Camp Hill Police Barracks, Sandhurst Corporate High School, Central State School No. 1976, The Cascades, District Lands Office (Dudley House), Masonic Temple and Hall, Sandhurst Volunteer Rifle Brigade Orderly Room, Bank of Victoria, Henry Jackson's Store View Point,Alexandra Fountain, Beehive Store/Mining Exchange, Colonial Bank. Hustlers Royal Reserve NO. 2/R.S.L. Memorial Hall, Post Office 3rd 4th and final, Bendigo Law Courts, Shamrock Hotel 2nd and another view. Important Bendigo Dates; 1851, April gold discovered at Golden Square by Margaret Kennedy,1851 Approx. 200,000Troy oz. of gold found in Bendigo, 1852 475,857 Troy oz. Gold for the year, 1853 November 31st Bendigo Hospital admits first patient,1853 December 9th Bendigo Advertiser first issue printed, 1854 First Land Sales and streets are surveyed and named for the first time, 1854 Census of Bendigo showed 15,480 residents plus 4,000 Chinese, 1855 Sandhurst Municipal District formed, 1861 Sandhurst Proclaimed a Town. 1862 Railway to Melbourne opened, 1867 Visit by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, 1871 July 21st Sandhurst proclaimed a City, 1881 Population of Sandhurst 14,577 residents, 1882 First telephone communications introduced, 1890 Electric trams (battery) commenced running, 1891 May 18th City of Sandhurst changes its name to City of Bendigo.book, bendigo, buildings, historic

Benjamin Danks was b. 1853 England, ordained 1878, and died 1921 in Rookwood, NSW. DANKS, Benjamin (1853-1921) Michael Horsburgh, DANKS, BENJAMIN (b. Wednesbury, England, 12 Feb 1853; d. Sydney, NSW, 12 April 1921). Methodist missionary in New Britain and missionary administrator. Benjamin Danks migrated to Vic with his family when a young child. He entered the Wesleyan Methodist ministry in 1878 and was sent with his wife, Emma, daughter of John and Elizabeth Watsford, to join the Rev George Brown in the newly established missionary venture on the Duke of York group in New Britain, where he remained for nine years. An opponent of 'blackbirding', the traffic in indentured island labour for the Australian sugar cane industry, he warned local inhabitants not to go aboard any vessel recruiting labour for distant places, much to the displeasure of the labour traders. In 1880 he participated in the rescue of the survivors of the ill-fated settlement established by the Marquis de Rays. In 1907 he succeeded George Brown as the general secretary of Foreign Missions for the Methodist Church of Australasia and was president of the NSW Conference in 1908. He retired in 1918 and died in 1921 after a long illness attributed to the privations of his missionary career. Danks was highly regarded as a linguist and published the first book in the Tolai language of New Britain. He was a strong supporter of state legislation to control social evils, and to ensure pure food and drugs. He was an ardent temperance advocate. George Brown, An Autobiography (London, 1908); New South Wales Methodist Conference, Souvenir of the Presidency of the Rev. Benjamin Danks (Sydney, 1909); Wallace Deane (ed), In Wild New Britain (Sydney, 1933); Neville Threlfall, One Hundred Years in the Islands (Rabaul, 1975). MICHAEL HORSBURGH Electronic Version © Southern Cross College, 2004. Content © Evangelical History Association of Australia and the author, 2004.Sepia oval portrait photo of a younger man with wiry beard and moustache, dressed as clergyman.danks, benjamin, new britain

Benjamin Danks was b. 1853 England, ordained 1878, and died 1921 in Rookwood, NSW. DANKS, Benjamin (1853-1921) Michael Horsburgh DANKS, BENJAMIN (b. Wednesbury, England, 12 Feb 1853; d. Sydney, NSW, 12 April 1921). Methodist missionary in New Britain and missionary administrator. Benjamin Danks migrated to Vic with his family when a young child. He entered the Wesleyan Methodist ministry in 1878 and was sent with his wife, Emma, daughter of John and Elizabeth Watsford, to join the Rev George Brown in the newly established missionary venture on the Duke of York group in New Britain, where he remained for nine years. An opponent of 'blackbirding', the traffic in indentured island labour for the Australian sugar cane industry, he warned local inhabitants not to go aboard any vessel recruiting labour for distant places, much to the displeasure of the labour traders. In 1880 he participated in the rescue of the survivors of the ill-fated settlement established by the Marquis de Rays. In 1907 he succeeded George Brown as the general secretary of Foreign Missions for the Methodist Church of Australasia and was president of the NSW Conference in 1908. He retired in 1918 and died in 1921 after a long illness attributed to the privations of his missionary career. Danks was highly regarded as a linguist and published the first book in the Tolai language of New Britain. He was a strong supporter of state legislation to control social evils, and to ensure pure food and drugs. He was an ardent temperance advocate. George Brown, An Autobiography (London, 1908); New South Wales Methodist Conference, Souvenir of the Presidency of the Rev. Benjamin Danks (Sydney, 1909); Wallace Deane (ed), In Wild New Britain (Sydney, 1933); Neville Threlfall, One Hundred Years in the Islands (Rabaul, 1975). MICHAEL HORSBURGH Electronic Version © Southern Cross College, 2004. Content © Evangelical History Association of Australia and the author, 2004.Engraving of Rev. Benjamin Danks based on the portrait."Rev. B. Danks. Late of New Guinea, Foreign Mission Secretary, Melbourne."danks, benjamin, new britain

Benjamin Danks was b. 1853 England, ordained 1878, and died 1921 in Rookwood, NSW. DANKS, Benjamin (1853-1921) Michael Horsburgh, DANKS, BENJAMIN (b. Wednesbury, England, 12 Feb 1853; d. Sydney, NSW, 12 April 1921). Methodist missionary in New Britain and missionary administrator. Benjamin Danks migrated to Vic with his family when a young child. He entered the Wesleyan Methodist ministry in 1878 and was sent with his wife, Emma, daughter of John and Elizabeth Watsford, to join the Rev George Brown in the newly established missionary venture on the Duke of York group in New Britain, where he remained for nine years. An opponent of 'blackbirding', the traffic in indentured island labour for the Australian sugar cane industry, he warned local inhabitants not to go aboard any vessel recruiting labour for distant places, much to the displeasure of the labour traders. In 1880 he participated in the rescue of the survivors of the ill-fated settlement established by the Marquis de Rays. In 1907 he succeeded George Brown as the general secretary of Foreign Missions for the Methodist Church of Australasia and was president of the NSW Conference in 1908. He retired in 1918 and died in 1921 after a long illness attributed to the privations of his missionary career. Danks was highly regarded as a linguist and published the first book in the Tolai language of New Britain. He was a strong supporter of state legislation to control social evils, and to ensure pure food and drugs. He was an ardent temperance advocate. George Brown, An Autobiography (London, 1908); New South Wales Methodist Conference, Souvenir of the Presidency of the Rev. Benjamin Danks (Sydney, 1909); Wallace Deane (ed), In Wild New Britain (Sydney, 1933); Neville Threlfall, One Hundred Years in the Islands (Rabaul, 1975). MICHAEL HORSBURGH Electronic Version © Southern Cross College, 2004. Content © Evangelical History Association of Australia and the author, 2004.Photocopy of page from a book (A4 size) with pictures of Danks and Mrs. Danks and a map showing New Britain and New Ireland and the mission stations of the New Britain district of the Wesleyan Methodist Mission and the sites of the Free Colony of New France.danks, benjamin, new britain