This dress was worn by Brighton model Coral Triplett when she married John Knowles at St John's Church, Toorak, on 18 June 1966. Made from beaded wool lace, it was commissioned by the Australian Wool Board for the Gown of the Year competition and made by Jinoel, a high-end Melbourne fashion house run by husband and wife team Jill and Noel Kemmelfield.White French wool lace wedding gown with low neckline and high empire waist. Bodice embroidered with beads.wedding dress, 1960s, coral triplett, coral knowles, john knowles, jinoel, australian wool board, gown of the year, wool lace

These shoes were worn by Emily Cock (nee Smith), the daughter of wealthy early settler John Matthew Smith. From 1856 until 1931 the Smiths lived at 'Castlefield', a mansion on a vast estate that at one time stretched along South Road from Bluff Road to Hampton Street. The land was gradually subdivided, and the house is now a part of Haileybury College. Julien Mayer was a French ladies shoemaker and prolific exporter who advertised his successes on the shoes themselves by stamping the soles with details of the prizes he had won.Pair of black kid leather shoes with low block heel, decorated with pink silk, cut-away applique and embroidery. Pink bow with metal clasp on one shoe; missing from the other. Edged with pink silk ribbon binding, largely deteriorated.Sole embossed with "MAYER / Julien / à Paris", in addition to tamped with three small medallions proclaiming the awards the shoemaker won in London in 1862, Porto in 1865 and Paris in 1867. Handwritten in interior sole of T0124.2 in pencil: "Emily Smith / Castlefield"emily smith, castlefield, shoes, 1860s, applique, embroidery, julien mayer

This bed jacket was crocheted for Carmela Materia (1931-2018) by her mother, Giuseppa Auditore, around the time they emigrated from Italy to Melbourne. Both women were longtime Brighton locals, residing in the area from the 1950s until their deaths. Carmela Auditore was the first woman from her home village of Scaletta, Italy to emigrate to Australia. Setting sail alone in 1950 at the age of 19, she joined her brother John and uncle Frank in McCallum St, Brighton. Frank had arrived some years earlier and had spent the duration of the First World War in an internment camp. John worked at the Brighton Case Company, a box manufacturer on Nepean Highway, and paid for her passage. Carmela found a job sewing children's clothing at Drummonds, a small factory in Church St. Working eight hours a day, five days per week, netted her a weekly wage of three pounds. To earn a little extra, she washed dishes at a St Kilda Road restaurant for ten shillings a shift. Her parents, Salvatore and Giuseppa Auditore, joined her in Brighton in 1952. They rented a house behind an antique shop in Bay Street. Salvatore had been a fisherman in Scaletta, but quickly adapted to the job he found helping around the Garage at Brighton Motors in Male Street. On 14 February 1953, Carmela married her sweetheart, Salvatore Materia, at St James Catholic Church in Gardenvale. Salvatore had been living with his aunt in Well Street and worked on the wharves. Both Carmela and Salvatore were hard workers. They owned a fruit shop in Church Street where Woolworths now stands, and years later Carmela recalled the familiar 6am tap on her window each morning when her husband returned from the market. On dark winter mornings, she felt as if her hands would freeze as she helped Salvatore unload cold cabbages and cauliflowers from his truck. They later owned a shop in Ludstone Street in Hampton. After Salvatore died suddenly at the age of 48, Carmela returned to sewing, working at the Willow Fashions knitting mill in Gardenvale. She later went into partnership with her sister and brother-in-law, this time in the delicatessen business. Her parents, Giuseppa and Salvatore, spent the rest of their days with Brighton. Carmela recalled her father cheerfully walking the streets, greeting people by name. He knew everybody. He loved being in Australia and enjoyed life to the last, insisting on having bread and wine on the table at every meal.Cream crocheted wool bed jacket. Loose around bust with wide sleeves and open sides. Fastens at collar with thin braided ties, and at waist with two pearlescent plastic buttons.bed jacket, migration, 1950s, carmela auditore, carmela materia, giuseppa auditore

This dress belonged to Brighton local Paula Folks, who wore it to her niece's wedding at St John's, Toorak in 1970. It also bears a second connection to Brighton through the label, Elegance, a Flinders Lane fashion house co-owned by Rudy Brill and Brighton resident Robert Salter. Paula was a longtime manager and owner of Pearl's Boutique, a well-known local fashion boutique established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Cream terylene chiffon dress with all-over daisy appliqués. High band collar with v-shaped scoop at back. Sheer long sleeves with gathered cuffs.Label: "miss Elegance / TERYLENE".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s, flinders lane, melbourne designers, robert salter, rudy brill, miss elegance, elegance

Articles in annual report include: branch committees, President's report, finance report, balance sheet, hospital homes, blind citizens' community centre, welfare, auxiliaries, volunteer service group, life governors, opening of the new hospital wing at Brighton by Premier Sir Henry Bolte, Mrs Laura Clarke celebrating her 103rd birthday, closure of the Hostel at Brighton due to lack of applicants able to care for themselves, continued demand for hospital care, expansion of 20 hospital beds planned for Mirridong and increase of Welfare staff with two appointed in Geelong and Latrobe Valley.16 pages of text and photographsassociation for the blind, dorothy hamilton, h.m. lightfoot, elanora home (brighton), laura clarke, w.h. coakley, k.f. hosken, mrs j.e. howard, mrs h.s. nunn, mrs j. harrington, mrs h. lindhe, mrs i jennings, john wilson, mrs c.v. moore, mrs h.a. shannon, s.o. rogers, r.a. pearson, annual reports, katharine (kitty) rose

Articles in annual report include: President's report, finance report, balance sheet, the Kooyong story 50 years of service to the blind, honorary services, blind members, life governors. 1 printed volume with illustrationsassociation for the blind, annual reports, henry bolte, h.m. lightfoot, john wicking, sir john wilson, john wilson, eunice wilson, p. daddo, frankston ladies choir

Individual thank you letters were sent out to those who made a certain level of donation directly to the organistion. In this example, Mr C. Bruce Miller of 11 Moorakyne Street, Malvern is thanked for his donation of 5 pounds and 5 shillings and the letter is personally signed by J. W. Wilson in 1958 and 1961 respectively.2 letters to Mr C. Bruce Millerassociation for the blind, john wilson, fundraising

Letter to the Trustees outlining the outcomes of a recent meeting, as the minute book was unable to be located. Below is a summary of the letter. The death of W.H. Paterson is mentioned and the recommendation to the Committee that the clubhouse by named in his honour was unanimously accepted, however requires the agreement of the Trustees. The remainder of the letter covers the past five years. The Victorian Association of Blind Cricketers are requesting the erection of a shelter shed and scoring boxes. Complaints have been received about horses using the park, which have been passed to Malvern Council who advise they have also received similar complaints from the general public. A fence is required but a lack of finance has delayed this action. The Clubhouse is being used for more activities including a dance class, indoor bowling club, pottery and craft work, therefore a new switchboard and rewiring were completed. In October 1955, the State Government offered funding through local councils, however despite a representation to the Minister, the Malvern Council were not willing to expend funds to the Association as they had committed to build an Elderly Citizens Club. A large signboard was repainted and a new signboard erected at the front entrance, along with a light controlled by a clock. The Clubhouse has also been used one night per month by the local branch of the RSL and occasional use by the Teachers College for inter College sports. There has been cooperation with the L.T.A.V. (Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria) during tennis championships, and although the Committee recognise the need to do more with the area, the impending homes been built at Ballarat and Bendigo have been a limited factor. Signed by J.W. Wilson3 pages of type letter on letterheadAssociation for the Advancement of the Blind, Under the Distinguished Patronage of His Excellency the Governor of Victoria and Lady Brooks Founded 1895 (image of shining lantern) Incorporated 1944 10-12 Queen Street, Melbourne, C.1. Phone: MU 4189 MU 1955 Homes at: Brighton Beach Windsor Ballarat Bendigo On the left hand side of the page: President: Bruce Small, Esq. Vice President: Hubert Opperman, O.B.E. Treasurer: W.J.S. Horsfall, F.C.A. Secretary: J.W. Wilson Objects: To promote the welfare of the Blind intellectually, physically and socially. To grant financial assistance in cases of necessity. To provide Homes and Hostels of an undenominational character for the Blind. To visit the Blind. To care for the adult Blind, especially the aged and infirm. Donations will be subject to the concessional allowances provided by the Income Tax Act. At the base of the page: Homes and help for aged blindassociation for the advancement of the blind, john wilson, kooyong club house

To recognise outstanding contributions to the Institution, Life Governor certificates were awarded. Signed by the President and Manager/Secretary of the day, they were worded as follows: "Royal Victorian Institution for the Blind Life Governor. This is to certify that (blank) was this day appointed a Life Governor by the Board of Management." 28th August 1969 - signed by Charles Bennett and F.G. Turley Stanley Marsden Esq. 17th April 1975 - signed by E.J. Hanlon and E. Netson (?) Mrs Phyllis Marsden 20th November 1975 - signed by E.J. Hanlon and E. Netson (?) Mrs Lurleen C. Slaney John H. Weymouth, Esq Alan J. Murphy, Esq Mrs Phyllis Crook Christopher Williams Esq Dr. Alan Crook Adrienne N. Mursell November 19, 1981 - signed by E.J. Hanlon and E. Netson (?) Mrs Phyllis Wilson June 12, 1992 - signed by L. M. McCredie and Peter (?) Donald Gordon Boyle11 certificates with RVIB crest At the head of the page, a round circle with 'Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind' in Gothic typescript, a red crown atop the circle and a red cross with four white stars divides the inside of the circle into four areas. A picture in with and black, against a blue background, rests in each of these quadrants and a banner with the words 'I will lead the blind by a way they know not' is centred in between them. The pictures are: a harp, a bee hive, an open book and a flag with the words 'A.D. 1867'.royal victorian institute for the blind, awards, stanley marsden, phyllis marsden, phyllis crook, alan crook, john weymouth, christopher williams, adrienne mursell, alan murphy, lurleen slaney, phyllis wilson, gordon boyle

This agreement between the Association for the Blind and Emma Irene Parkins lays out the terms and conditions of a fund-raising initiative to be driven by E.I. Parkins, with the aim of selling entry tokens for a "Name the Home" competition at 2 shillings apiece. The first prize was a Ford Falcon Sedan. The agreement is Dated 1st day of July 1962, but Signed and Dated by CEO J. W. Wilson and E. I. Parkins on 28/03/1962. There are 2 copies of the agreement, one containing hand-written annotations in pencil. 4 typed pages of legal agreementassociation for the blind, emma parkins, john wilson, fundraising

This agreement between the Association for Advancement the Blind and J. W. Wilson, Secretary lays out the terms and conditions the hire-purchase of a motor vehicle at 16 pounds per month totalling 1039 pounds. The agreement is Dated 18th November 1953, and is signed and Sealed by members of the General Committee and J. W. Wilson. 5 pages of typed legal agreementassociation for the advancement of the blind, john wilson

This agreement between the Association for the Blind and Emma Irene Parkins lays out the terms and conditions of a fund-raising initiative to be driven by E.I. Parkins, with the aim of selling entry cards for a "Last Line" competition at 2 shillings apiece. The first prize was a Ford Falcon Sedan. The agreement is Dated 1st day of July 1962, and Signed by CEO J. W. Wilson and E. I. Parkins. The agreement, contains some hand-written annotations in pen. 4 typed pages of legal agreementassociation for the blind, john wilson, emma parkins, fundraising

This agreement between the Association for the Blind and Emma Irene Parkins lays out the terms and conditions of a fund-raising initiative to be driven by E.I. Parkins, with the aim of selling donor tokens at 20 cents apiece. The agreement is Dated 1st day of July 1967, and Signed by CEO J. W. Wilson and E. I. Parkins. The agreement contains some hand-written annotations in pen. 3 typed pages of legal agreementassociation for the blind, john wilson, emma parkins, fundraising

In 1980, the original week long session of planned activities to celebrate White Cane Day was jettisoned for displays and presentations in the new City Square. These included films, Swish demonstrations, children’s tactile artwork and photographs. It was a lovely sunny day, with crowds enjoying a performance by the Victorian Police Brass Band and their well known equine Gendarme, as well as the Lightfooters square dancing. The Minister of Health, Bill Borthwick, officially opened the program of activities.10 B/W photographs of White Cane Day celebrationswhite cane day, janene sadhu, bill borthwick, john cook, john wilson, lindsay mcmillan, phyllis gration, bryan sitlington

John L. Sutherland graduated in 1954. See B09.0004(42) photograph of him.1. 10 black and white photographs, some with inscriptions, in Ilford Films paper packet - Burnley and Wilson'd Promontory excursion. 2. Black and white negatives from Kodak packet containing 76 negatives, proofs made and scanned - Burnley and excursions. 3. Kodak packet containing roll of 35 negatives - Burnley and Dinner Dance.4. Cardboard Kodak negative box with roll of 34 negatives - excursion to Wilson's Promontory.5. CD of scanned 3 and 4. j. l. sutherland, students, wilson's promontory excursion, administration building, pruning, helen eastman, glasshouses, cacti, students working outside, cricket, luffmann ponds, horses, orchard, insid, students in class, locker room, changing room, excursions, dahlias, tractor, royal agricultural show, student outside classes, speech day

Donated by Justine Curry (nee Mitchelson) (1954) for the 1991 Centenary. Also includes photocopy of her Certificate of Competency and her Reports for 1953 and 1954. Note (5) Frame for School Bell which used to be on top of the Pavilion is on the ground outside the Administration Building, later installed above the door.Photograph album collection of 61 b/w photographs of different sizes dated 1953-1954, some labelled. Were attached to magnetic pages but have come loose and have been transferred to plastic pockets. Also photocopy of work experience. A newspaper cutting. certificate of Competency. Reports.Labelled, "Justine Curry 4/11A Margate Pd., Margate, Qld 4020." justine curry (nee mitchelson), administration building, luffmann ponds, yarra river, helen eastman, orchard, wilson's promontory, lloyd davies, mr kneen, students, e. b. littlejohn, jennifer edwards, botanic gardens melbourne, cricket, student groups, certificate of competency, school report, justine curry, justine mitchelson, t h kneen, luffman ponds, lily ponds, royal botanic gardens, ann spruzen, teena, garden views, school bell, orchard gates, orchard border, wilson's promontory camp, mervyn, boys changing room, john rittinger, barb mckay, carmel devaney, marie-louise leng, john sutherland

Donation made on behalf of Surrey Hills Primary School. A second lesser copy was donated at a much earlier date.A 59 page informal history of Surrey Hills State School, No 2778. To quote the authors: "we have not used footnotes, nor a bibliography; and we have used reminiscence without always ensuring that facts and dates are strictly accurate." The book is richly illustrated with photos, excerpts of student work and other ephemera. It is not indexed. Headings are: Beginnings, The Cadet Corps, Head Teacher Bennett, School Days 1900-1925, War Time & Beyond, The Mothers' Club, Childhood Illness, School Days in '30s, Expansion, PWD Problems, Depression and Wartime, Post War Crowding, memories, Mr Wheeler, Migrants, Royal Tours, Pedestrian Crossings, The Canteen, Craft Room, Sports Days, Acquisition of Mr Prior's House, Parents Right to Know, Social Service, School Committee, Concerts & Balls, Mothers' Club to Parents' Club, Library, More PWD Problems, Changes, Camps, Recent Principals. This copy includes a copy of the Centenary Weekend Programme which has been stuck inside the front cover.wekworth, - (miss), reardon, edith, lauchlan, thelma, grant, mavis, higgins, nancy, kellan, coster, joyce, parker, marjorie, dyson, joy, sutton, phyllis, cadmar, gwennyth, mclaughlin, maurine, wendorf, winifred, broadbent, doreen, hawes, hilda, powell, crocker, beatrix, triggs, dorothy, peers, ker, pryde, norma, clemson, kathleen, owen, doris, glasscock, elaine, lovering, w b (mr), dyer, e a (mr), gamble, william, brown, j k (mr), raw, whitfield t, doyle, annie, st stephens presbyterian church, cadets, bennett, george t, brigadier general gordon, cottingham, r v (mr), day, george, greaves, arthur, servan, alice, renkin, anne, lutheran peace memorial home, gourlay, education, schools, doney, - (mr), collins, fyfe, alexander, fire brigades, maypoles, duck, lorraine, hendy, ives, alfred, reaburn, john, walduck, gwyneth, world war, 1914-1918, breeden, horace, horrie, wise, amy (miss), blogg, john kendrick, newington, lily (miss), parents clubs, brookes, - (mrs), lancashire, deans, johnson, herbert, -(mrs), travancore, jamieson, welch, mcdonald, harley, mclean, jack, rex theatre, surrey hills progress association, gamer, ernest, southall, ivan, influenza, barbara, ross, poliomyelitis, scott, moroney, daniel, thwaites, jean, constable, oswell, frank, large, gifford, a e (rev), gillies, j (rev), buxton, porter, jill, morgan, jan, 1939-1945, williamson, joan, cargill, jackson, van ernst, cooke, tyrell's milkbar, plaw, graeme, dairies, chenu, a h, rutzou, peter, bowie, heymann, megan, wilson, ritter, alan, martyn, dawson, l (mrs), mcgregor, d (mrs), e (mrs), fiedler, wheeler, lewis, marsh, rhyll, slater, games, gangell, pam, barrow, ford, henry, mcewan, marion, conlon, kathy, canterbury recreation reserve, surrey park, chatham oval, mooney, neil, kitson, surrey dive, monk, kay, saldineri, macqueen, lyndy, thomson, daley, susan, discombe, diane, hanson, robert, mulvey, albers, angela, tucker, david, glover, bright, lynette, mcinnes, jeanette, nethercott, turnball, eric, smith, roberts, chasemore, lyle, chislett, miss, capon program, k n (mr), fuller, i d (mr), henwood, j w (mr), g (mr), veitch, g (mrs), m (mrs), cheetham, j (mr), gardner, l (mr), d (mr), sepitka, lorna, balfe, win, wells, bob, keith, ian, kett, mr, elizabeth, liney, bruce, macarthur, rob, kelly, paula, neil b, sydenham, shirley, dixon, o'hagan, ros, van someren, fred, norman, burns, roberta, harry, christine, barker, henry j t, nutt, ernest h, richards, benjamin, lievesley, john h, knight, gabriel, clough, john s, hepburn, james, tinney, arthur h, blanchen, bernard j, somerwell, elizabeth j, john t, john m, caldicott, howard t

The buildings at Kooyong have undergone various re-modelling and redesign over the years. These plaques commemorate the dual activities taking place at the Kooyong Centre, as it strove to adapt to the increasing need for technological support and the changes in information, day centre and supports needed by the blind and vision impaired community. These plaques were located in the corridor between reception and the day centre, but were dismantled during renovations in 2018.This plaque commemorates the start of construction of Vision Australia Foundation's information and technology facilities and was unveiled by Mr D R Argus AO, Patron Vision Australia Foundation, Chairman, Centenary Appeal in recognition of all who made this development possible for the lasting benefit of people who are blind or have severe sight loss. 27 March 2000, Malcolm Daubney, President. John Cook, Chief Executive Officer. This plaque commemorates the official opening of Vision Australia Foundation's Kooyong Centre by John Landy, AC, MBIE, Governor of Victoria, 11 October 2001. Building Donors: Don Argus, AO - Appeal Chairman, Shirley Admans, Amcor Limited, Aspect Consulting Pty Ltd, Atalina Nomines Pty Ltd, Robert Bosch (Aust) Pty Ltd, The William Buckland Foundation, Cadbury Schweppes Australia Ltd, Terry Cocks OAM, Coles Myer Ltd, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Consolidated Paper Industries, John & Beverley Cook, The Craftsman Press Pty Ltd, Norma Crook, CSR Limited, Malcolm & Beverley Daubney, Don Draffin, Sir Andrew & Lady Fairley Foundation, Ford Motor Co. of Australia Ltd, Fortis Australia Ltd, Gandel Charitable Trust, Harold Gration, Dept of Health & Community Services, Peter Isaacson Publications Pty Ltd, Kayarem Pty Ltd, Kooyong Auxiliary, Kooyong Fair Committee, Lady Joan Law-Smith, Elaine Leahy, Eve & Lewis Lustig, Henry Malycon, Ann Miller, John Moule AM, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, AC DBE, Sidney Myer Fund, National Australia Bank, Pacific Dunlop Ltd, Raleigh Paper Co Pty Ltd, Lady Catherine Ramsay, Rothschild Australia Ltd, Shell Australia Ltd, Slade & Partners, Springfield Auxiliary, Ian Roach AO, Rotary Club of Albert Park, Rotary Club of Hawthorn, The Top Opp Volunteers, Sir Donald & Lady Trescowthick Foundation Ltd, Graham Upton, John Wall OAM, John Wicking AM, Ian & Beverley Wilson, Woodside Petroleum Ltd.vision australia foundation, nameplates

Newspaper articles about blindness, visually impaired or blind people and activities.Scanned copies of newspaper articles collected by Lady Nelllady nell seeing eye dog school, royal victorian institute for the blind, association for the blind, royal institute for the blind (sa), villa maria society, queensland industrial institute for the blind, guide dogs for the blind association of victoria, australian national council of and for the blind, phyllis gration, max medlyn, christopher finnen, dawn goebel, arthur mackey, walter jacobs, kevin o'mahoney, jean smith, pam marks, white cane, assistive devices, garry stinchcombe, matey fisher, robert gordon, ruth keoden, winsome mclean, arthur wilkins, len childs, bob elliott, graham miller, jack birkett, norman pressey, don westaway, norman salmon, mark houran, yvonne simpson, irmo guglielamana, jenny ziviani, shaun oliver, peter goss, albert poelstra, ewan gouldon, uncle ben's of australia, dr henry nowik, mary martin, kathleen wenzer, donna hayes, ken campbell, barry murphy, michael riley, jack dowdle, harold gration, leah francis (nee wilson), john dingle, alex mcnish, peter richards, irene mye, jim finn, cec mcillwraith, terry carlson, keith smith, gordon stent, frank taylor, don verlander, olive moody, roslyn sackley, ross johnson, jako mikulic, jewel blanche, william mckennariey, vicki barclay, grantley dee, ray hannah

Contributor: T.H. KneenBox of slides, mostly labelled. 1. "School Building (May 1960) No. 1950." 2. "Students 5-2-58 John Richards Helen Page Instructor J.B. Nowell No. 1881." 3. "Orchard-Burnley (1960) No. 1953." 4. "Flower Bed & Lawns No. 1774." 5. "Plant Science Block Jul 69." 6. "Citrus myrtifolia being lifted (1960) No. 1945." 7, 8, "Mar 67." 9. "Dec 66." 10. "Long Border Aug '54 No. 1758." 11. "Border Display & Pond No. 1792." 12. "Rose Pruning Jul 67." 13. "Grampians-MCK Falls 10/65." 14. "Archway- Burnley Gar Yellow Banksia Rose No. 1779." 15. "P.R.L. No. 1684." 16. "Principal's Residence (Spring) Amygdalus pollardii No. 1716." 17. Views of Drive No. 1676." 18. "Field Day '57 Demonstration Burnley No. 1917." 19. "Shrubs & Annuals No. 1772." 20. "Burnley Gardens Flower Beds & Lawns Aut 1957 No. 1742." 21. "Vegetable GardenStudents 5.2.58 John Deverson Dorothy Issell Instructor I.G. McCure." 22. "School Lawn Golden Willow No.1754." 23. "Rose Pruning Demo No.1969 Jul 89." 24. "Field Day '57 Budding Burnley No. 1911." 25. "Field Day 57 Drainage No.1918 Burnley." 26. Rose Pruning Demo T. Komebum? Jul 69." 27. "Rose Pruning Demo Jul 69." 28. "Orchard." 29. "Wilson's Promontory N. P. Tidal River."school building, students, john richards, helen page, j.b. nowell, burnley, flower beds, lawns, administration building, orchard, plants, long border, rose pruning, grampians, principals residence, vegetable gardens, students working outside, lawnmower, john deveson, dorothy issell, golden willow, field day, wilsons promontory

TOM COLLINS–from the reel to reel tape recording at Melton 1969 In the years between 1890 and to about 1913 Melton was a quiet little hamlet alongside the Toolern Creek, once called the Pennyroyal Creek, 24 miles from Melbourne on the Ballarat Road. There was a fair amount of woodland left around it, mostly grey and yellow box with sheoak, and golden wattle, which in spring time made a rather attractive setting. Most of the premises were in the main or High Street, with its line of elm and pepper trees on each side. Unitt, McKenzie and Henry streets each contained only a few dwellings. Hotels were four in number, Minns’s, Mrs Hay licencee, now Mac’s, Golden Fleece – Sheblers. The Royal or Ryan’s as it was then called, later Graham had the licence, and the Raglan - Kilpatricks had the licence and afterwards Tom Manning. This was situated about where Mr K. Young had his residence. There was a store attached to the hotel until about 1900. Both the Royal and the Raglan were delicensed, later on the Royal being converted to a green grocery and a boarding house, the Raglan was demolished. The Royal green grocery and boarding house was kept by E Carew and after he retired, E Radford. The Post and Telegraph Office was on the opposite side of the street to the Raglan Hotel about two doors west of the Shire Hall and was kept by Mrs Ferris and Lady Farmer until her retirement, when it was carried on by Miss Lottie Ross. A store was attached to the Post Office and was sometimes used as a store and at one time housed the National Bank. There were two full time banks at Melton, the other being the Commercial which built premises about 1904 and on the corner of High and Smith Streets, which it still occupies. Mr G Egan was the manager of the Commercial and Mr Stradling and later Mr Lee of the National. However as business was not thought good enough they reverted to a part time branch operated from Bacchus Marsh. Grocer shops were Chalmers, with a news agency and drapery now Arnolds, Jongebloeds had the bakery. Mr Fox also a produce merchant, was where Melton Real Estate is now, it was later occupied by Buchanans, Atleys, and Mrs Ross. Not long after the War Mrs Ross built the Post Office, since demolished where Miss Lottie Ross was the Post Mistress and later built the store which she conducted. It was later turned into a factory and in now the barbers shop. McNichols was just west of the Minns Hotel. He travelled as far a Ballan weekly, buying calves and dairy produce for sale in Melbourne. Afterwards he sold the business and bought Minns Hotel and changing the name to Macs. Blacksmiths were three in number. Blackwoods – later James Byrnes next door to Jongebloeds. Alex Cameron who learnt his trade with Blackwoods had his shop about the rear of where Ken Youngs Garage is now he later moved to the north west corner of High and Alexander Street. He was also the Registrar of Birth and Deaths and Electoral Registrar. After his retirement he was weighbridge keeper at Melton South. Two of his sons were engaged in the carpentry trade, but both died at an early age. Whittingtons shop was a few doors east of the Mechanics Hall and it was later occupied by Gordon Macdonald who did business there until about eight years ago. The butchers of the period were George Graham, that is where Mandy Lees hairdressing establishment is now. Euan MacDonald had premises later occupied by Whittingtons blacksmith shop. Later shifting next door. He left here about 1901, he slaughtererd animals at a slaughter house right where Chas Jones now resides, it had previously been a slaughter house and butcher shop of that site. George Spring also operated as a butcher for two or three years about the 1900 or so. Ted Simpsons shop was where John Kontek now has his Estate Agency, he used it as an branch shop from Bacchus Marsh bringing meat from there by a two horse lorry. Jimmy Butler the manager was well known and loved, his son was later a steeplechase jockey. The Court House and Police Station would be built sometime before 1900. The Constables at the time were McGuire, later Wade, Riely and McKenzie after that Robert Wilson and Seinfort were here, they were a bit later on. The Mechanics Hall was first opened by Ryan of the Royal Hotel who sold it to the Hall Committee. It was on Unitt Street and it was moved by McLellans the house shifters from Unitt Street to its present site. Bluestone premises formerly occupied by the bootmaker Carew, were later demolished and replaced by the brick frontage to the Hall. Keith Orensini [?] the local bricklayer built brick portion to the Hall. In the cottage adjoining the Hall a Frenchman named Baudin, had a boot repairing business.This cottage was the later residence of J Hill, a local carpenter and builder from whom I learnt my trade. Granny Watts was the well known local nurse and operated the Mid-Wifery Hospital in Yuille Street on the Sherwin Street corner. Mrs Nissen was on the opposite side of Yuille Street a short distance nearer the township. She conducted the laundry. Carew had a greengrocers shop next door to the Post Office in the High Street for some time before transferring to the Royal Hotel site. He also bought [?] calves for killing. W Cecil was a tank maker and also had a produce round, he lived on Pyke and Sherwin Street. Later Gus Shebler, builder and carpenter engaged in tank making being well known for good workmanship. Shebler was very energetic in forming the Gun Club which met for a good number of years where the golf course now has its headquarters. Of the four churches only three are in use, Christ Church, Scots and St Dominics. The Methodist closed down but later transferred to Melton South. Monthly stock sales were held at the yards in Unitt Street at Minns Hotel by McPhail Auctioneers, later held by McCarthur and McLeod. After the Council built the pound and sale yards they transferred sales to these premises, but lack of patronage caused them to be abandoned. A familiar sight in the district was blind Bob Nixon, who lived in a tumbled down cottage in Centenary Road near W Coburns, being led by his dog down the road to Melton, that is Palmerston street, to the Post Office, butcher and baker for his supplies and then back home. He was able to do his own cooking and other chores. Sundays he would come down Raleighs Road to the back of the church and tie his dog to a tree. Someone, mostly one of the boys would guide him into the church and out again after the service, when the dog would lead him home again. State School 430, a two roomed bluestone building it was the only school in the district, none at Melton South. The nearest would be Rockbank and Toolern Vale. Scholars had a fair distance to walk in most cases. The teachers were Mr T Lang Headmaster. I put a query here, Miss Winters, I’m not certain of the name, Mrs Skinner and Miss Silke as Assistant Teachers. Miss Augusta Cecil and Miss Maud Lang were Junior teachers. One boy who attended the school about the turn of the century was Hector Fraser who resided with his parents in Keilor Road, where Jim Gillespie now lives. He was an excellent gun shot and at the age of about 17 years his father took him to France or Monaco where he won the Gran Prix for pigeon shooting and became the champion boy shot of the world. However he died there from pneumonia. He shot under the name of “Parvo”. The Melbourne Hunt Club used to meet in Keilor Road north side just east of the Toolern Creek on what was originally Pykes Run. This was also the place where the races were held and the Sports Meetings. Dave Murphy, employed at Clarke’s Rockbank Station usually provided the fox which he liberated for the Club. Greyhound coursing was usually held on Moylans property Mt Kororoit, or Mt Misery as it was known then. Later it was held at Melton Park, Mr Matt Carberry was the judge and Percy Cook the slipper. Early in the 1900’s the Recreation Park was created and the Caledonian and the ANA sports meetings were held there, they were annual events. L Paterson from Melton South was a successful competitor in all the cycling events as a young man. He later in life became the Deputy Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The present Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade is John Paterson, nephew of his, and spent his early life in Exford where his father was manager of the Exford Estate. Notes Tom Collins was born c 1895. He lived on the south side of the Ballarat Road near the intersection of Keilor Road.Historical image of Palmerston Street in Meltonlocal architecture, landscapes of significance

Made of canvas and bamboo slats with hemp ropes, adjustable canvas straps and metal buckles and rings, the rescue stretcher was used for carrying an injured person. According to the Powerhouse Museum, the stretcher and was ‘designed to support and carry an injured person in circumstances where the person has to be lifted vertically’. Known as the ‘Neil Robertson stretcher’, it was developed in the early 1900s by John Neil Robertson as a lightweight rescue device and was modelled on Japanese bamboo litters. An identical stretcher is held in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum and is thought to date between c.1967 and 1999. The museum’s statement of significance for the unique stretcher elaborates on its cultural values: The canvas is wrapped around the patient and secured with strong canvas straps. A lifting rope is attached to a ring above the patient's head, while a guideline is tied near the ankles and used to stop the stretcher swaying as it is hoisted up. This style of stretcher was specifically designed for use on ships, where casualties might have to be lifted from engine-room spaces, holds and other compartments with access hatches too small for ordinary stretchers. The original name of the Neil Robertson stretcher was 'Hammock for hoisting wounded men from stokeholds and for use in ships whose ash hoists are 2 ft. 6 in. diameter'. Since those times the Neil Robertson stretcher has also been used in factories and mines and for other emergency rescue situations. It is still possible to buy this type of stretcher although the slats are now more likely to be made of wood. The example in the Powerhouse collection was amongst several items of obsolete first aid and rescue equipment donated by the electricity generation company Delta Electricity. It would have been used - or at least been on stand-by - at the company's Munmorah Power Station or the associated coal mine on the Central Coast of New South Wales. Industrial sites and mines are extremely dangerous work places. Throughout the 20th century to the present there has been a drive, especially in developed countries like Australia, to improve workplace safety. Measures taken to reduce injuries and deaths have included safer industrial equipment, safer work practices, staff training, and the ready availability of accident and emergency equipment.It was also used throughout WWI and WWII. There are two other examples of the stretcher are known in Parks Victoria heritage collections. Canvas and bamboo stretcher with straps and buckles. Hemp ropes are attached to the stretcher.

Three Ballarat notables were appointed by Mr Thomson to select the Statuary for the Botanical Gardens after his death.The tablet is significant in recording the benefactor and those responsible for the selection of the statuary. Also, the tablet testifies to the high esteem in which Mr Thomson was held.Brass tablet. Coloured photograph photocopied.Nonemr w.d. thomson, j. noble wilson, horatio arthur nevett, thomas stoddart, committee to select the statuary, statuary in the ballarat botanical gardens, benefactors, tablet., john garner collection, garner, dr, ballarat botanical gardens, gardens, ballarat

The FBBG History Group found in their research at the Public Records Office of Victoria that the Trustees of Thomson's Estate arranged for the City of Ballarat to undertake the care of Thomson's grave following the transfer of 10 pounds. However, the grave needs restoration and it was found that the Council still bears responsibility for its upkeep.James Russell Thomson had been a generous benefactor to the City but as a bachelor, he had no descendants to care for his grave, which had fallen into disrepair. It was found that the Ballarat City Council still had responsibility for the upkeep of this grave.A one page letter to the Mayor, Councillor Verlin, Ballarat City Council from FBBG and 2 pages of black and white photographs of Thomson's grave and headstone and a coloured photograph of the Thomson tablet at the Town Hall plus a quotation for work needed on the grave.3 corrections in biro to the letter, 2nd and 2nd last line.doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of the ballarat botanical gardens, ballarat city council, james russell thomson, noble wilson, public record office of victoria, benefactors of the gardens and their graves, old ballarat cemetery, john garner collection, gradens, ballarat, thomson