This is the sixth in the series of records of items in the collection of Edgar Dawson DCM. Dawson was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 57th Battalion, AIF. C Company of the 57th was composed of men drawn from Echuca, Eaglehawk and Bendigo. The postcards are from his personal album, and many are annotated in Dawson's hand with explanatory notes on the subject. Refer to Cat No 893 for his service details. Items originally in album cat. no. 207P These photographs show the eclectic nature of this collection 1. Lance Corporal Albert Ali, 2518 48th Btn, most likely man on right, 2. 2nd Lieutenant Ernest Potter, 68, 38th Battalion 3. Robert William Scott, 3617 and Walter James Browning 3683 57th Btn 4. Grave of Captain Herbert Spencer Dickinson, 600, 57th Btn. KIA 25th September 1917 5. Ralph Edward Cheeseman, 3074 , 57th Btn 6. Jack Bass, 5038, 53rd Btn (most likely man on left) 7. Chaplain C company, 57th Btnpostcards, 57th battalion, edgar dawson dcm

A collection of writing by, and photographs of staff at Preston Secondary College. The writing consists of several 'farewell poems" to departing staff and the photographs appear to be of cleaning staff at the school.10 pages of photocopied typed or handwritten writing and photographs. preston secondary college, psc, staff, nmit,

From collection of Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson) orignal christmas greeting labell on back of frame 'To Dear Aunty Hilda and Granma from Verna, Hilda and Thelmafrom the collection of photographs documented as the 'Thompson collection' donated to museumSepia carte de visite on burgandy board of two men originally taken c1860. Encased in gold coloured frame with decorative cornersInscription on original Christmas Gift card follows: "To Dear Aunty Hilda and Granma from Verna, Hilda and Thelma Note: at the bottom of photo is printed Yeoman and Co two men yeoman and co thompson collection

From collection of Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson). Probably William Henry Nightingale (1883 - 1971) who was in Tasmania at least in 1924 Note: Registration of motorcycle 17577B/W photograph of man standing beside early motorcycleInscription on back: 'With love from Will with the Tasmanian Express.' Makers stamp on back: A.J. Collins & Co., Ulverstone TASMANIAthompson, nightingale, bedgood

A brief outline of the history of Macleod High School (now Macleod College) and a collection of 12 news articles from 1954, collected by past student Barry du Plessis.Folder with copies of 12 newspaper articles and brief article on Macleod Collegemacleod high school, macleod college

Information from research by Mabel Rogers from the first meeting in August 1939 – 1969 Notable Events of the CWA The document contains information about meetings and events and numbers of members who attended. December 2013 – a selection of some of the items of interest have been extracted by Wendy Barrie NOTABLE EVENTS Page 1 1938 August 10th 1938 Minutes of inaugural meeting of Melton Branch Country Women’s Association. Cr Coburn introduced Mrs Toose, Ballarat G.P. [Group President] 42 ladies were present, including visitors from Bacchus Marsh and Smeaton Branches. September – Miss A Raleigh was elected Magazine Secretary October- 26 members present. Penny Collection for Million Members Fund November December – Mrs Swan gave demonstration of basketry, using stringy bark, Eucalyptus bark and reeds 1939 February 1939 – 18 members present. Branch total 50. Donation towards Pedal Transmitting Set. Inquiries made of Shire Council re permission to fence War Memorial March April – cost of fence material beyond Branch Funds May- 24 members present June, July, August – birthday celebrations. September 25 members present October – Meeting hled at Toolern Vale Bird Sanctuary 36 members present November – 1st Annual Meeting December – Owing to harvest operations, only 11 members present. 1940 February electric kettle and urn to be purchased for Mechanics Institute. Also to install a power point. [Electricity was connected to Melton in December 1939] April end of page 1 Page 2 May – Council Permission to be sought, to plant trees on oval below Shire Hall P.M.G. to be asked to supply a seat outside telephone booth for convenience of callers after P.O. was closed. June- Wives of A.I.F. soldiers be made honorary members. “1d per week drive” for gift for the Empire. July, September, October November – Group President stressed the importance of keeping Branches together during time of war. Collection of sheep skins to be made into vests for fighting forces worthy of consideration. Group President, Mrs Morgan-Paylor. December 1941 February 30 members present March – Eight members attend Ballarat Group Conference. Approach Council re fencing and preparation of land for tree plantation May – Mrs Swan demonstrated making of slippers from pieces of sheepskin June – Empire Gift Scheme of 1d per week to be continued for another year or duration of the war. July – Demonstration on making camouflage nets August, September Group Conference at Smeaton, October, November meetings held 1942 February- Enquiries to be made as how to help with A.R.P. work March, April, May, June,- Headquarters busy on war work. July end of page 2 Page 3 August, September. October – 15 Camouflage Nets forwarded to Headquarters November- Mrs Glasson Group President presided at Annual Meeting. Meetings to be held at 3 monthly intervals. Overseas link, enquiries be made of Melton Mowbray had a C.W.A. Branch 1943 February- Overseas link to be Lampeter, Cardiganshire, Wales May- 7 Camouflage Nets to Headquarters. American overseas link Nov 5th Annual Meeting, letters received from Wales and America 1944 May – Approach to be made to Council re formation of Baby Health Centre July – Ball held for Baby Health Centre effort. Admission 3/- 1945 February- Mrs Lemke present at meeting May August- Miss Strahan of Womens Hospital gave a talk on “Work of Almoner Departments in Public Hospitals” November Annual meeting. eight food parcels sent to Britain, 2 to Lampeter 1946 meetings held every two months May- Congratulations to Mrs Swan, Group President Elect June – 20 members present. August- 8th Birthday celebrated with a Social Evening Music was supplied by Mrs E.W. Barrie September - Scone competition 1. Mrs Beaty, 2. Miss Robinson 3. Mrs Exell November- Eggs sent to Somers House 1947 February – Demonstration of Glove-making March – revert to monthly meetings April - decided to have an auto tray made for the Branch May – Branch decided to plant a tree for Princess Elizabeth’s 21st Birthday.. Council to be asked if agreeable to continue arrangements in 1940, to fence C.W.A. Plantation end of page 3 Page 4 June - Food parcels sent to Overseas Link July – Invitations to birthday celebrations sent to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Sunbury, Mt Egerton August September - Collection of silver coin taken a donation from Branch towards wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth … forwarded to H.Q. November – C.W.A. together with Red Cross and Bacchus Marsh C.W.A. to provide afternoon tea and luncheon at Eynesbury sale. 1948 February – Food parcels sent to ex-Prisoner-of-war. Publicity agent appointed April – Decided to apply for trees to be planted in area already chosen a beauty spot May – Additional listeners to Broadcast Session were appointed June July – Gift of books received from Overseas Link. I was decided to stat a Library . Miss Raleigh to at a Librarian. August – 5 pound donation from Branch funds to “Save the Children” Appeal. September, October, November 1949 January – At Group Conference, delegates to vote in favour of resolution that State School children be allowed to sit for exams in own school March – Decided to contact Council for permission to fence off Water Reserve April, May – Another parcel to be sent to Ret. British P.O.W. Association June July – Fancy Dress Children’s Ball to be held for Annual Effort August – 11th Birthday September – Bank Balance November – 11th annual Meeting. Members agree to supply small gifts to Ballarat Mental Hospital 1950 February – Five books were received from Lampeter March – Branch to support idea of holding a Music Drama Festival in Group April – Miss Smith elected Group President May – C.W.A. Science Van visited Melton June – Demonstration of Macrame work - July August – 12th Birthday Celebration end page 4 Page 5 September, October November 12th Annual Meeting, Miss Smith Group President. Melton's Country Women's Association Choirlocal special interest groups, local identities

The collection has been catalogued into a number of Series. The main series are Series 1: Main Photographic Series; Series 2: Main Transparency Series; and Series 3: Brochures and Published materials. Every Item in each of these major Series has been individually catalogued on a spreadsheet, one spreadsheet per Series. A further 70 Series have been created to catalogue smaller, discrete collections of photographs and negatives and other memorabilia including registers, published materials and objects. The completion of its transfer to the Society was noted in Newsletter No. 159 November 2004. Generally memorabilia items classified as part of Council 's art collection and negatives of historical photographs have been retained by the Council. The items now stored at our Local History Centre are quite diverse. They include many photographs of Council activities, Councillors and Council staff. There are Council brochures, calendars and other publications. All of these items are catalogued and stored in quality archival boxes. Also included is a large collection of old Council registers such as letter books, contract registers, cash books, etc. Many of these are large leather bound volumes, more of interest for their appearance than for their content. The first meeting of the Memorabilia Reference Group was held December 5, 1996. The aim of the group was to facilitate all actions required for the safekeeping of the Shire of Eltham memorabilia. The members of the group were Harry Gilham President of the Eltham District Historical Society (EDHS), Russell Yeoman EDHS Secretary and Chris Marks Curator of Collections at NSC.shire of eltham archives, series listing, memorabilia reference group

Wedding photograph of Sophie THOMPSON (1880 - 1950) and Henry William TUCKER in 1912. From the collection of Emma NIGHTINGALE. Sophie's brother William also sent a wedding photograph to Emma NIGHTINGALEThompson Collection, NightingaleSepia photograph mounted on brown card Studio portrait of young coupleManufacturer's mark on front of card: Pearce and Fullwood, Photographers, 238 Sydney Road, Brunswick, opposite Town Hallthompson collection, nightingale, tucker

This community calendar is distributed to residents of the City of Banyule each year. Each year it focusses on an aspect of the local community. The 2021 calendar contains a collection of Banyule's best photographs from past calendars.32 pages. Colour illustrations. 2 copies. banyule city council, banyule community calendar

Photographs and postcards from the collection of Lorraine Coates. The photos depict people and places in Greensborough. The postcards depict scenes from World War 1 in England and France. These items are also catalogued individually.Photographs of Greensborough in the early 20th century.2 postcards and 8 small original black and white photographs.lorraine coates, greensborough

Wall display of photographs and cabinets of books as part of the Bicentennial/Heritage Week Display, "The Eltham Tradition", held in the Eltham Shire Office, 17-22 April 1988 by EDHS. The Alistair Knox Collection is a series of mounted enlarged photos of about forty images mud brick houses and related subjects. The collection is understood to have been put together by Alistair Knox although it is the work of several unacknowledged photographers. For some years it was held by the Building Department of the former Eltham Shire Council and was then passed to EDHS. Some of the photos have been used in Knox's books. Alistair Knox (1912 - 1986) is acknowledged as the founder of Eltham's mud brick building movement. Many of the buildings shown in the collection are of his design and he was also involved with the construction of several of them. Others are the work of his contemporaries and associates such as Peter Glass, Gordon Ford, and John Harcourt. (EDHS Newsletter No. 145 July 2002) Two colour photographsactivities, eltham shire office, heritage display, heritage week, alistair knox

From collection of Emma NIGHTINGALE, probably shows son 'William Henry Nightingale (1883 - 1971) who was an evangelist preacher with Church of Christ. The C/C college was in Glen Iris (now Monash freeway)Thompson collectionB/W photograph of large group of people standing in tiers (taken outside in garden setting)Handwritten on back of card: 'students of the College of the Bible, Glen Iris 1916'thompson collection, nightingale

This collection of glossy brochures shows the variety of courses available at NMIT from apprenticeships to degrees. Mainly from the Equine Studies area, there are brochures on Thoroughbred Studies, stud operations and riding, and apprenticeships in Farrier Trade.Five coloured A4 brochures. Colour illustrations on front, text on back.horse studies, equine studies, farrier apprenticeships, nmit,

Believed to be Fanny Flinn (wife of artist Walter Herbert Withers) born Handsworth in 1858. Handsworth is situated in greater Birmingham and is 8 miles from the photographer's studio. Photographed by H.J. Whitlock, 11 New Street, Birmingham Henry Joseph Whitlock operated from this address from 1862 to the mid 1890s. This particular carte-de-visite is representative of those he produced in the 1860s. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp07730/henry-joseph-whitlock also http://www.cartes.freeuk.com/visitors/whit.htmMany items in this collection have suffered from significant water damage and black mouldbirmingham, carte de visite, fanny flinn, john withers collection, h.j. whitlock (photographer)

Bibles given as gifts to siblings or prizes from Sunday SchoolBibles belonging to various members of the Maggs Family. 1 . Jean 1908. 2 Evelyn victoria Maggs 1910. 3 David Maggs 21st. birthday. 4 Eva Maggs 1911. 5 Eva Maggs 1914. 6 Chrissie Maggs 1934. 26272-1 Jean with Mr. and Mrs. Dimants good wishes Nov 1908. 26272-2 To my Dear Sister Evelyn Victoria Maggs with fond love and best wishes for her 13th. birthday from her loving sister Jane E. Maggs. Proverbs 3.6. 26272-3 To my beloved brother David J Maggs as a gift of sincere love for his 21st. Birthday of the 31st. January 1908 from his affectionate sister Jean E. Maggs &. Proverbs 3.6 26272-4 Eva Maggs 2nd class Special Prize May 1911 26272-5 Eva Maggs Presented by her S.S. Super H. L Smythe 25-12-14 also to my dear Alison from Mother Armistice Day 11-11 30 26272-6 Presented to Chrissie Maggs from Mother 24-5-34

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years. Australian postcards collected by Mrs. James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.041 weeping Rock, Sydney 1405.042 Railway Yards, Newcastle 1405.043 Botanic Gardens, Sydney, N.S.W. 1405.044 Mullet Creek, Dapto 1405.045 The Corso, Manly, Sydney 1405.046 The Gap Watson's Bay, Sydney 1405.047 Hyam Pass, Showgrounds Reserve, Nowra 1405.048 Newcastle N.S.W., "Nobby's". 1405.049 Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney 1405.050 Beach, Stanwell Park 1405.051 Stroud Cutting 1405.052 The Derwent River, Tasmania 1405.053 Hume Bridge and Cooma St., Yass 1405.054 Yass River 1405.055 The Fernery, Blackheath, Blue Mountains 1405.056 Yass River at Kenilworth 1405.057 Hawkesbury River 1405.058 Market Street, Sydney 1405.059 Georges St. from Margaret St., Sydney 1405.060 'Neath Southern Skiespostcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years.Australian postcards collected by Mrs. James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.021 Crystal Palace R I Jenolan 1405.022 Snowball Cave, Lucas, Jenolan, N.S.W. 1405.023 The Great Zig-Zag 1405.024 Sydney Harbour and Botanical Gardens 1405.025 Barren Jack Works 1405.026 Mountain Homes, Illawarra 1405.027 The Weir, Yass 1405.028 Forest Creek Falls, Yass 1405.029 Yass Town 1405.030 Musgrove Point 1405.031 St. Clements Church of England, Yass 1405.032 Watson's Bay, Sydney 1405.033 Coal Mine Gully, Blackheath, N.S. W. 1405.034 Barren Jack, Murrumbidgee River, Yass 1045.035 The Heads, Sydney Harbour 1405.036 Hyde Park, Sydney 1105.037 Court House, Bourke 1405.038 Oldham 1405.039 Thirroul 1405.040 Blake's Exchange Library, Alburypostcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years. Australian postcards collected by Mrs. James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.061 Mechanic's Institute, Albury 1405.062 Kiama, N.S.W. 1405.063 Dean Street, Albury, N.S.W. 1405.064 Union Bank and Post Office, Temora 1405.065 Middle Harbour, Sydney 1405.066 Sydney University, Sydney 1405.067 Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1405.068 Bridge Street, Sydney 1405.069 Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1405.070 the Two Bridges, Yass 1405.071 Court house, Yass 1405.072 Church of St. Augustine, Yass 1405.073 The Grotto, Church of St. Augustine, Yass 1405.074 Hume and Hovell Monument 1405.075 Flat Rock, Middle Harbour, Sydney 1405.076 the Dam, National Park, New South Wales 1405.077 Hamilton Hume's Monument, Albury Gardens 1405.078 the weir, Yass 1405.079 Lane Cove River, Sydney, N.S.W. 1405.080 Suspension Bridge, North Sydneypostcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years. Australian postcards collected by Mrs James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.001 Botanic Gardens Sydney 1405.002 Yass 1405.003 Dead Beat 1405.004 Clifton Cliffs, Illawarra 1405.005 The Bridal Veil Falls, Leura 1405.006 Path to Bell Fall, Leura 1405.007 Fern Grotto, Leura 1405.008 Marguerite Cascades, Leura 1405.009 The Botanic Gardens and Harbour, Sydney 1405.010 Botanical Gardens - Sydney 1405.011 National Park, Sydney N.S.W. 1405.012 Caves House, Jenolan Caves, N.S.W. 1405.013 Coast scene, Wattamolla 1405.014 Looking-glass Rock, Hawkesbury River 1405.015 The Harbour, Kiama 1405.016 River Scene, National Park N. S. Wales. 1405.017 Church of England, Cootamundra 1405.018 Flood, 1917 1405.019 Murray River 1405.020 Bathurst postcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

This is a plain brown book with small diagonal squares pattern on the covers. La Nourriture De L'ame, ou Recueil De Prieres pour les Principales Fetes de L'annee which translates to - The Food for the Soul or Collection of Prayers for the Main Holidays of the Week. The author is Jean- Rodolphe Ostervald, pastor of the French Church of Bale. There is a drawing on the frontispiece of Jesus talking to men. At the back is a Table of Contents. Some pencil markings inside, foxing and tanning. There are two bookmarks included - One has Federal printed on it in red lettering with a rising sun pattern at each end with a French handwritten message written on the front and back. Another paper used as a bookmark has Y Foy and Gibson, Melbourne. 545p.non-fictionFood for the Soul - a collection of prayers for every day of the week and for the main holidays of the week. religion, prayers

1950 decade HAY FORK - A local invention. Bill and Arthur Gillespie and Bon Barrie In the early 1950’s Bill Gillespie of Bulmans Lane had been experimenting in developing a machine to improve the collection of hay sheaves at harvesting and stack building time. The ripened crop was cut by a reaper and binder which bundled the storks into sheaves tied with binder twine. The reaper and binder was towed by a tractor by the mid 1940s previously teams of draught horses were used to pull the reaper and binder. A photograph taken at the Barrie farm shows three binders the first being towed with a tractor and the others with horse teams. Two workmen were needed to operate the binder when cutting a crop. The sheaves collected on the binder and released onto the ground and were scattered across the paddocks. Using a conventional two pronged pitch fork the harvest hands collected the sheaves and placed each one cut edge on the ground in an upright position and layered with about 15 sheaves into an apex shape to form was is known as a stook. The shape of the stook allowed for drying and draining of water if rain had occurred. Prior to the invention of the mechanical hayfork this was a laborious task requiring each sheaf to be pitched onto a tray truck and moved to the location of the haystack. The mechanised HAYFORK was operated by one person on tractor greatly reducing the need for gangs of labourers. At harvest time farmers had relied on itinerant teams of workers descending on the district looking for work. The three Barrie brothers on their adjoining farms combined forces to cut their crop at its optimum time while the weather was in their favour. Up to many 20 workers at times formed a team in earlier times. Agricultural university students were also keen to gain practical experience in the field. Each of the brothers had a particular skill, and Tom Barrie was the expert on stack building. The district haystacks had a distinctive shape and could be recognised by their builder. Bill Gillespie’s first operational HAY FORK consisted of a large 13 pronged fork situated forward of the truck cabin. It was attached with iron girders and mounted on the rear of the cabin to the tray of his British Bedford truck. It was constructed in metal and iron and welded in the farmers work sheds. The mechanism was raised and lowered by the driver scooping along the ground to pick up a complete stook to raise high enough to deposit all the sheaves in one stook onto the stack or truck tray. The fork section was released by a rope and operated by the driver in the cabin. This model was trialled on the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane. It proved to be very successful and the Barrie/ Gillespie brothers went on to develop a HAYFORK which attached to a tractor and was operated with a series of levers and was raised and lowered hydraulically. It was detached from the tractor when stacking was completed. In its early days farmers travelling along the Western Highway called at the Barrie farm at Ferris Lane to inspect its construction and operation of the invention. It became a widely adopted by farmers throughout the State. It was being used on Wattie Palmer’s farm on Bridge Road Melton South in 1997. Farming in Melton, hay growing and stack building. agriculture, local identities

Glynne Pietzsch was a student at Watsonia High School (WaHIGH) in the 1960s. She was an active member of the school community and a prefect. This collection includes photographs, letters, school notices, the pocket from Glynne's prefect blazer and various ephemera from interschool activities.A snapshot of school life at the newly formed Watsonia High School. Watsonia High merged with Watsonia Tech to form Greensborough Secondary College in the 1990s. White ring binder containing assorted memorabilia from Watsonia High School. glynne pietzsch, glynne cousins pietzsch, watsonia high school

Alan L. Mitchell graduated in 1935. Some of the pictures were taken while he was a student in 1934 and others in 1956 and 1965. He gathered the collection for a presentation he made about Burnley in 1967. And donated it to the Archives in 1990 for the 1991 Centenary.Box of slides in colour and black and white. Handwritten short history of the Gardens and College and a typed transcript with extra information. Also an extra slide donated in 1997 with accompanying letter and description. Also DVD and printed photographs added later. Handwritten description of each slide.alan l. mitchell, burnley gardens, entrance sign, early uniforms, plant research institute/laboratory, administration building, canteen, hilda kirkhope rockery, garden views, students working outside, t h kneen, luffmann ponds, old nursery, potting sheds, orchard border, rubbish tip, e e pescott

This composite collection of photos of Shire President Charles Edward "Ted" Brown (J.P.)and Councilors, W. Powell, W.A.Walton,(J.P.), D.L.White, G.A.Fraser,(J.P.), E.Edwards,(J.P.), H.A.Patterson, Mr K.S.Lane,(Shire Secretary), A.C.Martin, A.D.Moverly, Mr Rex H.Hollioake,(Shire Engineer), D.Baird (J.P.), W.G.MacTroup,(J.P.), and T.W.Ford,was presented to the Ballarat Shire Council, by the Shire President,to commemorate the opening of the Wendouree Municiple Centre on 20th November 1959. Original historical photo of all Councilors for the year 1959-60Collection of photos of Shire President Charles Edward "Ted" Brown (J.P.)and all Councilors for the year 1959-1960.The photos are sepia on white mount,set in a plain brown frame.It was presented, to council, to commemorate the opening of Wendouree Municipal Centre 2oth November 1959. Collection of council photos for the year 1959.j p, brown charles, edward, ted, shire president, 1959 60, ballarat shire council 1959 60, wendouree municipal centre opening 1959

"The Mechanics Institute movement flourished in Victoria from 1839 to 1950. It was based on the development of Mechanics’ Institutes in Scotland and England from the 1820s, which were intended to educate and enlighten the working classes. The term ‘mechanic’ in those days meant an artisan, craftsman or working man, especially those who had moved from rural areas to work in new city factories during the Industrial Revolution. The early Institutes were usually equipped with a reading room, a library and a lecture room. Although enjoying mixed success in Britain, they contributed to the development of public education and library services. The movement was adopted more enthusiastically in the colonies. It began slowly in Victoria but its expansion after the gold rushes population influx was rapid, especially in rural areas. Every suburb and town wanted to have a Mechanics’ Institute. During the 1850s approximately forty Institutes were established, with even greater growth in the period 1860 to 1900. By 1900 there were 400 Institutes in Victoria. The establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute was often a great achievement for a local community, requiring organising committees to raise substantial funds for a building site (where this had not been granted by the Government), and the building. Once built, the committee then had to purchase books, provide a caretaker or librarian, and finance the ongoing use of and improvements to the building. ‘The history of many Institutes is a story of tremendous community effort, and often, financial difficulties’. In addition to being monuments to local enterprise and community life, the Mechanics’ Institutes played a vital role as an intellectual forum, and in contributing to an informed and participatory democracy in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They provided journals and other reading matter on local, state, national and international issues, and hosted of lectures and held debates about wider issues such as Federation, colonial nationalism, defence, female suffrage, the price of land and labour. With the development of the school and technical education in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the need for community technical and adult education declined. As a result of the introduction of government library grants in 1867, many Mechanics’ Institutes incorporated a free library in their buildings to finance collection of their books. By 1884-85, there were 257 free libraries in Victoria. However, government support and library grants dropped off in the 1890s depression. Entertainment took on a greater role in the 1890s, with the introduction of moving pictures, billiards rooms, games rooms (chess), concerts and dances. The First World War had a devastating impact on many rural communities, and some Mechanics’ Institutes were no longer viable. On the other hand the early twentieth century was also a time of agricultural development, and many country towns were growing in this period. The 1930s depression further limited growth of many libraries and reduced grants substantially. In response many Mechanics’ Institutes were renamed, for example as memorial halls, in order to retain and attract more patrons (eg at nearby Sunbury). The diminishing role for Mechanics’ Institutes and the preference for larger and better appointed halls (with supper rooms, cloak rooms etc) resulted in demolition of some small Institutes. The advent of cars, radios, and television also provided other opportunities for recreation, learning and entertainment. The greater role of municipalities in providing library services also eroded the need for free libraries. While over 500 Mechanics’ Institutes or halls are extant, very few of these retain their original role as ‘diffusers of useful knowledge’. Most are still available for community purposes, as venues for meetings, socials, civic occasions etc, while others are employed as museums, shops and theatres. Most buildings are on Crown land, and managed by a delegated committee of management, who are responsible for raising revenue to maintain aging buildings. Many of those which were originally established on private land, such as Melton, have since reverted back to the Crown, and municipal Councils. The most common Mechanics Institute building form is the simple weatherboard gable building with iron roofs, notable for their ‘honest simplicity’ rather than as ‘monuments of the ancients’. At the other extreme there are some magnificent two storeyed brick and stucco structures with elaborate ornamentation (as was apparently envisaged by some in Melton in 1905-10)". The future of Melton Mechanic Institute Gazette articlelocal architecture

The Hamilton-Smith collection was donated by the children of Grace Mary Hamilton-Smith nee Ellwood (1911-2004) and John Hamilton-Smith (1909-1984) who settled in Wodonga in the 1940s. The Ellwood family had lived in north-east Victoria since the late 1800s. Grace’s mother, Rosina Ellwood nee Smale, was the first teacher at Baranduda in 1888, and a foundation member of the C.W.A. Rosina and her husband Mark retired to Wodonga in 1934. Grace and John married at St. David’s Church, Albury in 1941. John was a grazier, and actively involved in Agricultural Societies. The collection contains significant items which reflect the local history of Wodonga, including handmade needlework, books, photographs, a wedding dress, maps, and material relating to the world wars. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history and social history. Two small round badges. The NSW CWA badge has a light and dark blue design with orange. The Victorian badge has a yellow, green and gold design.On Victorian badge: "VICTORIA/CWA". On NSW Badge: "COUNTRY WOMENS ASSOCIATION N.S.W./CWA".hamilton-smith collection, hamilton-smith, ellwood, charity, volunteer, voluntering, cwa, country women's association, rural, women, women's history, domestic, cooking, food, community