Grassmere is a small hamlet about 12 kilometres from Warrnambool. It is a farming area. The Grassmere Gold Mining Company, presumably established by local people in Grassmere, was created in 1898 for the purpose of acquiring from Messrs James and Mewha a lease of a Cassilis gold mine (23 acres). £5000 was to be raised in shares of five shillings and one shilling each. The Manager of the Company was Horatio Dickson of Melbourne and the brokers were McMeekin and Co. of Melbourne and Warrnambool and Dickson and Osborne of Melbourne. This reef mine was one of several in Cassilis, Gippsland, 12 kilometres north west of Swifts Creek. The gold-bearing quartz reefs were discovered in 1885 and worked to 1914. It is not known whether the Grassmere Cassilis mine was a financial success but the mining operations were impeded by the hardness of the stone in the area. William Robinson was a farmer in the Grasmere district. This receipt is of considerable interest as one of only three items the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has that is connected to the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The gold mine establishment was one of the minor events in the district in the 1890s. This is a buff-coloured 1899 receipt for William Robinson who has paid six shillings and threepence for part payment of his shares in the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The receipt has black printing and black-ink handwriting. There is one stamp of the Manager ‘H.S. Dickson’ and another of ‘Grassmere Gold Mining Company No Liability’. The receipt has several holes caused by silver fish damage. ‘March 11th 1899, Received from Mr Wm. Robinson the sum of six shillings and threepence being the amount of 3rd call of 1½ per share due on 50 shares nos. 12651/12700 in the above Company, H.S.Dickson, Manager’ grassmere, grassmere gold mining company, william robinson

This item was given to the Historical Society in 1972, with the donor indicating that the spirit level belonged to the Henty family. The Hentys of Portland are regarded as the first permanent settlers in the State of Victoria (1834). Stephen Henty, with his brother Edward, was involved in the whaling industry in Portland. He also had shipping interests, operating a regular Western District shipping service (‘Champion’, ‘Lady Bird’, ‘Western’, ‘Edina’ etc) and a property ‘Cadnook’, near Harrow. Stephen Henty had close connections with Warrnambool not only because of his shipping interests but also because he was the brother-in-law of an early Warrnambool Harbour Master, Captain Frank Helpman. A spirit level was an essential tool for early settlers as they often built their own homes and constructed the roads nearby, needing to ascertain if what was being constructed was on level ground.It does not seem possible to establish whether this item belonged to the Henty family or to a Henty property. But in the Historical Society collection we have a piece of sheet music which includes the handwriting ‘Mrs Smalpaige, Cadnook’, ‘S. J. Henty’ and the date ‘8th August 1859’. Also the Warrnambool Art Gallery has an authentic Henty piano dating from 1837 and Stephen Henty’s wife died in Hamilton in 1906 so it is possible that the spirit level came to us from a Henty family descendant living nearby via Mr N. Kelly. If the Henty provenance can be proved then this item is of high significance.This is an unvarnished wooden spirit level, apparently home made, with a bubble in the centre. The top has been attached with eight screws, now much rusted. There appears to be some letters in the bubble area but they have not been deciphered “Hentys spirit level, oldest in Australia” is written in ink on the back of the objectspirit level, henty brothers portland, warrnambool, henty family

Grassmere is a small hamlet about 12 kilometres from Warrnambool. It is a farming area. The Grassmere Gold Mining Company, presumably established by local people in Grassmere, was created in 1898 for the purpose of acquiring from Messrs James and Mewha a lease of a Cassilis gold mine (23 acres). £5000 was to be raised in shares of five shillings and one shilling each. The Manager of the Company was Horatio Dickson of Melbourne and the brokers were McMeekin and Co. of Melbourne and Warrnambool and Dickson and Osborne of Melbourne. This reef mine was one of several in Cassilis, Gippsland, 12 kilometres north west of Swifts Creek. The gold-bearing quartz reefs were discovered in 1885 and worked to 1914. It is not known whether the Grassmere Cassilis mine was a financial success but the mining operations were impeded by the hardness of the stone in the area. William Robinson was a farmer in the Grassmere district. This certificate is of considerable interest as one of only three items the Warrnambool and District Historical Society has that is connected with the establishment of the Grassmere Gold Mining Company. The gold mine establishment was one of the many minor events in the district in the 1890s. This is a small buff-coloured certificate detailing the shares of William Robinson in the Grassmere Gold Mining Company (1898). The certificate has green printing and black-ink handwriting. The bottom section (Form of Transfer) is not filled in. There is a stamp of the Grassmere Gold Mining Company with the words ‘No Liability’. There is a decorative pattern in green on the left margin with the address of the company and the name of the printer. ‘This is to certify that Wm. Robinson of Grassmere is a member of the above-named company and the proprietor of fifty (50) shares, numbering 12651/12700 therein, upon which the sum of one shilling has been paid up, subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Company. Dated this 15th day of September, 1898. W.J. Roland, Director, .H. (es) Dickson, Manager.’grassmere, grassmere gold mining company, william robinson, warrnambool

This photograph shows the Lower Light at Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool, in 1895, part of the Lady Bay Lighthouse Complex. The photograph is part of the Western Victoria collection produced in 1891 by Brookes' Photographic Union in Victoria. Brookes' Photographic Union was a collaboration of two brothers, Frederick Augustus Brookes and his brother Albert Edward Brookes. Frederick arrived in Victoria in the early 1880's. He and Albert formed the organisation to produce collections of photographs including the districts of Geelong, Gippsland and the Western Victoria. This photograph was taken and published just after the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater. The image records a snapshot of the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater, a construction that changed the history of the Port of Warrnambool, It is also a record of the Flagstaff Hill area and at that time.Photograph, sepia coloured rectangular shape, mounted between two sheets of cream card. Border of photograph is decorated with pen lines and design in corners. Subject is the Warrnambool Harbour, with a lighthouse on a hill in the foreground, a light coloured picket fence, the harbour with a moored vessel and a jetty. Produced by the Brookes' Photographic Union, and with the heading of Western Victoria. Inscriptions are on the reverse, on two stickers, a printed white label and a handwritten name.Stickers: "F.PA 60/2-74" "138" Label: "WESTERN VICTORIA / BROOKES' PHOTOGRAPHIC UNION / WARRNAMBOOL HARBOUR / (FROM THE BATTERY) Hand written in black: "B. Fisher"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, western district, western victoria, brookes' photographic union, frederick brookes, albert brookes, photograph, warrnambool harbour, warrnambool history, lady bay, port of warrnambool, b. fisher, 1895, maritime history, breakwater, warrnambool jetty

This tray was commissioned as a perpetual trophy for the Apex District 2 (south west Victoria) public speaking competition. The names of 27 winners from 1977 to 2003 are inscribed on the tray. Apex Clubs are service clubs that provide people with the opportunity to volunteer within their community. Members are aged between 18 and 45. The first Apex Club was formed in Geelong in 1931 and Warrnambool Apex Club was the fifth club established in 1931. It went into recess in 1941 and was re-established in 1952. The club closed in 2011. This tray is of interest as an example of the awards given by local Apex Clubs and is retained because the Warrnambool Apex Club closed in 2011. This is a rectangular-shaped silver-plated tray with an etched decorative pattern, two handles attached to the base by metal screws and two side railings also attached to the tray by metal screws. The base has a brown board (mock leather?) inserted through the metal screws. The tray has the names of the winners of the trophy inscribed around the edge of the tray. The tray’s silver is slightly rusted. ‘Apex District 2 Perpetual Public Speaking Trophy Donated by Murray Kelson’ warrnambool apex club, history of warrnambool

This Boer War book was written by Robin Droogleever. It is a comprehensive history of the 3rd and 4th Victorian Bushmen Contingents and gives biographical details on everyone who served in these units. Many of the men in these units came from Warrnambool and the surrounding districts and many had been members of the Mounted Rifles or the Western Artillery units before enlisting to serve in the Boer War. One of these was Major Joseph Dallimore from Lake Gillear and his diaries are used extensively in this book as a primary historical source of the events of the war.This is an important reference book detailing the history of the 3rd and 4th Victorian Bushmen Contingents in the Boer War. This book contains many references to the servicemen in the Boer War who were in those units and who came from Warrnambool and district This is a hard covered book of 706 pages. The cover is blue with gold printing on the spine. The dust cover has an off white background with a photograph of some Boer War soldiers on the front and spine and colour photographs of medals, a shoulder badge and a war memorial on the back cover.The text is in two sections with eight parts in the first section and nine parts in the second section. The book contains many black and white photographs, maps and sketches and brief biographical notes on the soldiers who served in the military units described in the book. To Elizabeth O Callaghan, my best wishes, Rob Droogleever 17/10/09boer war, warrnambool

This school exercise book contains mostly English Literature material produced by Ena O'Keefe at St. Ann's College, Warrnambool and dates from the 1920s. It seems to be about Year 10 standard. St. Ann's College began in 1872 as a Convent of Mercy School for Girls, changed its name to St. Ann's in 1888 and amalgamated with the Christian Brothers' College in 1990 to form the present-day Emmanuel College. No information is available on Ena O'Keefe but she may have come from the Winslow district. This book is of interest as a school exercise book from the early 20th centuryThis is a school exercise book of 100 pages. The black cover is somewhat scuffed. The pages are ruled and contain handwriting in blue ink.Ena O'Keefe St. Ann's College Warrnamboolwarrnambool schools

The name of the business that produced the contents of this ledger is unknown. It is a record of rents paid by tenants to the property owners in Warrnambool and district from 1910 to 1925 and includes the rents paid and the dates. It probably belonged to a real estate firm or an accountancy or law firm dealing in property, mortgages and financial investments. Many of the names contained in the ledger are well-known (Coakley, Alston, Gleeson, McGennan etc) and the ones that are not so well known are mostly those with only one or two rental properties. This ledger is of some interest as a research tool giving information on property owners and renters in Warrnambool from 1910 to 1925. It will be of greater value if the name of the ledger owner can be found. This is a ledger with a cover made of wood and covered with a light brown material. It has a heavy metal insert inside to hold the pages. There are heavy card pages and white pages ruled with red and blue lines. The page entries are handwritten in ink. warrnambool renters 1910-1925, warrnambool property owners 1910-1925

This bat was awarded to Thomas William Southcombe in 1876 for the best batting average during the 1875-6 season at Warrnambool Cricket Club. Thomas William Southcombe was the son of Thomas and Mary Southcombe of Port Fairy. With his parents, Thomas and Mary, he arrived in Port Fairy in 1854. Thomas Senior was a carpenter who established several businesses in Port Fairy and served on the local Council for many years as a Councillor and Mayor. Thomas Junior appears to have migrated to U.S.A. and died there in 1904. The cricket bat was manufactured by the British firm of James Lillywhite, Frowd & Co. James Lillywhite was an English cricketer whose uncle had originally established the sports store and manufacturing business which lasted under various names until the 21st century. A cricketer named Lillywhite played in Warrnambool in 1874 with an All England Team under the captaincy of W.G.Grace. It is not known whether this was James Lillywhite or another member of the Liilywhite family as several of them played first class cricket.. The impression of the signature of W.H.Ponsford on the bat is an intriguing one. W.H. (Bill) Ponsford was a famous Australian cricketer who retired in the late 1930s. The Southcombe cricket bat was given by Mary Southcombe (Thomas’ sister) to the old Warrnambool Museum in 1923 and it is surmised that Bill Ponsford visited Warrnambool in 1957 (tthis appears to be the date under the signature imprint) and was shown the bat. It is then surmised that he rested a piece of paper or an album page on the bat while he signed his name and the impression of the signature has come through onto the bat. The old Museum closed in the 1960s and the bat was then passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society from the Warrnambool City Council collection of items from the Museum. This bat is of considerable importance because of its provenance and its connection with the Warrnambool Cricket Club, the Southcombe family of Port Fairy, the Lillywhite manufacturers, the old Warrnambool Museum and Bill Ponsford. It is also a good example of the type of cricket bat used in Australia in the 1870s. This is a wooden cricket bat (light colour wood, presumably willow) with a handle covered in oiled thread. It has an etched inscription on one side of the bat and the names of the manufacturer and distributor on the other side. There is also a faint impression of another signature. The blade of the bat is slightly curved. ‘W.C.C. Season 1875-6 Presented to T.W. Southcombe, for Best Batting Average’ ‘James Lillywhite Frowd & Co., Manufacturers, Borough, England’ ‘Made for George Marsh, Melbourne’ ‘W.H.Ponsford, -/1/1957’ warrnambool cricket club, thomas william southcombe, w.h.ponsford, warrnambool’s old museum

This medal was made by Stokes and Martin. Thomas Stokes established a medal-making business in Melbourne in 1856 and from 1867 to 1893 he had a partner, George Frederick Martin. In 1962 the Stokes business became a public company and operates today in Melbourne. The medal was awarded at the Annual Show of the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association in 1877. One of the earliest agricultural associations in Victoria, the V.& H.A.A., the forerunner of the Warrnambool Agricultural Society, was established in 1854 and the first Warrnambool Show was held in 1855 at the first Royal Archer Hotel in Koroit Street. The Warrnambool Agricultural Show is still held annually. The medal, first prize for the best horse hay rake, was awarded in 1877 to the brothers, Thomas and William Rutledge, sons of Eliza and William Rutledge. The latter was a pioneer settler who came to the Warrnambool/Port Fairy district as the purchaser of the Special Survey, Farnham Park in 1841. His land stretched from Tower Hill to Dennington. William Rutledge Senior was a pioneer breeder of a Lincoln sheep stud, the owner of a mercantile business in Port Fairy, a member of the Legislative Council of Victoria and the pioneer developer of farming land around Tower Hill. His son Thomas (1846-1918) was a Warrnambool Shire Councillor who farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Werronggurt . He went to the Geelong area at the end of the 19th century. His brother William (1849-1935) also farmed in the Farnham Survey, living at Farnham Park, He later lived at Airlie in Henna Street, Warrnambool and Sherwood on the Hopkins River and had land in the Otway Ranges. He later went to New Zealand.This medal is of considerable significance because of its age and its association with Thomas and William Rutledge and with the Villiers and Heytesbury Agricultural Association.This is a bronze medal with an image of agricultural implements, agricultural produce and farm animals on one side and etched printing on the other side. There is also printing around the edge of the medal. The medal has a small hole at the top for attaching the medal to a cord. Villiers & Heytesbury Agricultural Association 1st Prize awarded to Rutledge Bro. for Horse Hay Rake Annual Show Warrnambool 10 Oct. 1877 Stokes & Martin Melbourne thomas and william rutledge, farnham special survey, villiers and heytesbury agricultural association, warrnambool agricultural society, history of warrnambool

The Loyal Victoria Lodge was established in Warrnambool in1862. It was a Lodge connected with the Friendly Society Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Friendly Societies were established to give members assistance in times of illness and hardship and to offer insurance against such events. The MUIOOF had its origins in Manchester, England. The Warrnambool Lodge built the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street in 1869 and in 1872 it joined with other friendly societies and established the Friendly Societies Park in Koroit Street. The MUIOOF joined with the Australian Natives Association and today the new name in Australian Unity. No details are available on W. A. McLean but the certificate indicates that he served his country during World War Two.This certificate is of considerable interest as the Loyal Victoria Lodge was a pioneer friendly society in Warrnambool with its history going back to 1862. It is also a good example of the certificates given to Warrnambool residents who had rendered significant war time service in World War Two.Framed Certificate featuring text and a coloured picture. The picture includes: a dove, five scrolls, a laurel wreath surrounding a globe, three women in long dresses, three young children, two stylised flower beds, rays of light, a hill and four coats of arms. It is covered with clear plastic with a metal back and metal prop. WARRNAMBOOL DISTRICT INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS IN VICTORIA MANCHESTER UNITY FRIENDLY SOCIETY. The Officers and Members of the Loyal Victoria Lodge No. 4835 express grateful recognition and sincere appreciation to Bro. W. A. McLean for services rendered to God, King and Empire in Great War, 1939- 1945. N.G.Chas Gerock V.G. F.J. Toogood Rob Fairbridge Secretary. a circular red seal.

These are samples of the material used at the Fletcher Jones Factory in Warrnambool to make garments for men (suits, trousers, shorts) and women (suits, slacks, skirts, shorts). Fletcher Jones Clothing Factory was a key industry in Warrnambool from 1948 to its closure in 2005. The business was founded by David Fletcher Jones (1897-1977), a clothing manufacturer and retailer who worked as a hawker in the Western District following service with the A.I.F. in World War One. In 1924 Fletcher Jones opened three shops in Liebig Street selling men’s wear, hosiery and linen and operating a small tailoring business. He moved his shop to another location in Liebig Street and began to concentrate on men’s trousers production. In 1946 he opened a shop in Collins Street in Melbourne and eventually had stores and factories all over Australia. In Warrnambool he opened his factory at Pleasant Hill in Flaxman Street in 1948 and became a major Warrnambool employer, with over 1000 employees at one time. He transformed his business into a co-operative, with the name, ‘Fletcher Jones and Staff’ registered in 1947. The business diversified into other ranges of clothing for men and women but failed to compete with cheaper overseas clothing imports and the factory and shops were closed in the early 21st century. These pieces of material are of some interest as examples of the materials used in one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool and one that was of national significance for many decades. The Fletcher Jones label was well-known throughout Australia and Fletcher Jones himself was a prominent person in Warrnambool’s history, not only for his business interests but also for his philanthropy, his advocacy of business co-operatives and his support for many Warrnambool institutions. The Fletcher Jones Factory Gardens are still today a feature of Warrnambool and a tourist attraction. These two packets contain samples of materials used at the Fletcher Jones factory in Warrnambool. One packet (VC000690.1) contains four pieces of woollen material, one grey striped, one grey weave, one navy and one green, red and white tartan. The other packet (VC000690.2) contains two pieces of woollen grey and navy material and five small woollen samples of dark grey, light grey, navy, beige and blue and grey check material. warrnambool, industry

The following is an extract from Warrnambool and District Historical Society Website which explains briefly the Great Exhibition of 1896-97 The Great Industrial and Art Exhibition in Warrnambool in 1896-97 was an exciting affair for the town and the surrounding area. People came from far and wide to be enlightened, educated and entertained, with 70,000 visitors passing through the doors during the three months of the exhibition. Not bad for a town with a population of only 6,500 and a further 9,200 living in the surrounding shire! Planning began at a public meeting attended by 60 people in May 1896 and the exhibition opened in December the same year on the site of the current Light House Theatre. The architects submitted plans for four annexes, complete with turrets, a fernery and a giant flagpole. The site covered 1 acre and included a Marine court, industrial exhibits, an education court, defense and agriculture court, stalls, coach builders, dairy show, an art court and provision for a smorgasbord of various entertainment. (The Story of the Warrnambool Industrial & Art Exhibition 1896-97- E O’Callaghan) This certificate was one of many awards for competency and /or excellence in a wide range of activities and skills. Warrnambool Industrial & Art Exhibition 1896-1897 Competitions-Piano forte solo Gertrude Lewin- prizewinner W J Hickford- Mayor E Lyle Rossiter As a link to one of the biggest events ever held in Warrnambool this item has significant value to the history of Warrnambool. It has social significance also linking a number of names related to the event. Rectangular cardboard. pale cream and aqua background, multi linear gold and deeper aqua border with rounded and right angled corners. An interior border has a swag, linear vertical ribbons with four emblems related to science, labour, arts and industry. Four local black and white photographs, the town council crest and town officials, patron and councillors. An inscription of the prizewinner, event and signatures is written in a cream square in the middle of the certificate.Warrnambool/Industrial & Art Exhibition Opened Dec 21st 1896/ By the Chief Justice of Victoria/ Sir John Madden, K.C.M.G. upper L corner. Closed March 19th 1897/ By the Mayoress of Warrnambool/ Mrs WJ Hickford 'First Order of Merit/ Awarded to Gertrude Lewin/ of Parkville/ for Piano forte Solo (under 15) Signatures of WJ Hickford, President and E Lyle Rossiter, Secretary gertrude lewin, wj hickford, e lyle rossiter, the great warrnambool exhibitiion, warrnambool, pianoforte

This photograph is of Christina Giles, who died in Wangoom, Warrnambool, in 1899 at 7 years, 5 months and 4 days old and is one of many 19th century items of furniture, linen and crockery donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by, Vera and Aurelin Giles. The items are associated with Warrnambool and the Giles Family history. Items donated by the family have come to be known as the “Giles Collection”. Many items in the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage were donated by Vera and Aurelin Giles and mostly came from the home of Vera’s parents-in-law, Henry Giles and his wife Mary Jane (nee Freckleton) who married in 1880 and whose photos are on display in the parlour. Henry was born at Tower Hill in 1858, and was a labourer on the construction of the Warrnambool Breakwater before leaving in 1895 for around seven years to build bridges in NSW. Mary Jane was born in 1860 at Cooramook and she attended Mailor’s Flat State School and where she eventually was to become a student teacher. After which she became a governess at “Injemiara” where her grandfather, Francis Freckleton, had once owned land. Henry and Mary’s family consisted of six, some of the children were born at Mailor’s Flat and later some children at Wangoom. They lived with their parents at Wangoom and Purnim west, and this is where Henry died in 1933 and Mary Jane in 1940. Jordan, Warrnambool refers to Joseph Jordan who operated a photographic studio in Warrnambool from the late 1880s. His work was prevelent in Victoria's Western District of Victoria.This photograph of Christina Giles is of social significance at a local level, because it not only illustrates the level of material support the Warrnambool community gave to Flagstaff Hill during it’s establishment. But the Giles collection also gives us today a snapshot into what domestic life was like in early colonial times prior to Federation and the high mortality rates amongst children during the early years of colonial settlement. The photograph is also significant for is association with renowned Western District photographer, Joseph Jordan.Photograph of Christina Giles standing on chair in a decorative carved wood frame with floral design in abstract shape. Photo by Jordan of Warrnambool. Christina Giles died in Warrnambool in 1899 at 7 years, 5 months, 4 days of age. It is part of the Giles Family Collection. "Jordan Warrnambool" ( Photographers) flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, christina giles, giles collection, giles family, giles history, henry and mary giles, henry giles, tower hill, cooramook, warrnambool breakwater, mailor’s flat, wangoom, 19th century personal effects, joseph jordan, jordan photography

Tait collection: item 47 of 62 This is a document giving details of the Will and Letters of Administration following the death in 1895 of Charles Spencer of Brooklands, Birchanger, Essex, England. It is not known why the document has been drawn up in Melbourne and also makes reference to Warrnambool lawyers but it is presumed that some or all of the beneficiaries of the will lived in the Warrnambool district at the time. Charles Spencer left personal estate to the value of £689 to his wife, Emily, and children. Mentioned in the document are the lawyers J.S.Tait and Henry Parrington who were partners in a law firm in Warrnambool at the end of the 19th century (going under the name of Higgins and Parrington). The document has been passed down to successive lawyers occupying legal premises in Kepler Street and it was located in this building in 2014. The Letters of Administration for this estate was granted to Henry Parrington. The personal estate comprised £689 which had been lent to Spencer Smith on the security of land in the Parish of Wangoom, County of Villiers the repayment of which is secured by an indenture of mortgage dated 1st June 1892. [Ref: PROV. VPRS28/P0002, 73/750 Charles Spencer Grant of Administration] This document has no known local relevance except for the involvement of two Warrnambool 19th century lawyers. Further investigation has shown the personal estate mentioned in this will comprised £689 as a mortgage secured loan to a local resident, Spencer Smith.This is a cream-coloured piece of parchment paper folded in two and containing handwritten material on four pages which have black ruled lines on the edges. The 1899 document gives details of the Will and Letters of Administration of Charles Spencer, of Brooklands, Birchanger, in the County of Essex in England. The blue seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is attached with a green ribbon and there are two red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The document is a little stained but legible.In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria In the Probate Jurisdiction In the Will of Charles Spencer of Brooklands Birchanger in the County of Essex England Gentleman deceasedj.s.tait, henry parrington, warrnambool history, charles spencer, tait collection, spencer smith

The port facilities in Warrnambool Bay were in constant use from the first years of Warrnambool’s settlement but there were also difficulties for the shipping trade – a small and unsafe anchorage, the lack of loading facilities and little natural protection from the southerly gales. From the 1870s on there was local agitation for some sort of Breakwater to be built and an Andrew Kerr design was approved by the Warrnambool Council but no funds were made available from the Victorian Government. Throughout the 1870s the building of a Breakwater was a major political issue in the district with preliminary work being funded and started in 1874. In 1879 the Government agreed to a further inspection of the area and an official report. Sir John Coode (1816-1892) was commissioned to make this report. He had come to Australia in 1872 to advise on harbour construction. Coode recommended a 1800 feet long Breakwater and wharf connected to the shore and it was this proposal that the plan described herein and drawn up in 1879 was to accompany. The original plan was eventually modified because of the cost and a Breakwater was completed in 1890 under the direction of the engineer, Arthur Dudley Dobson, with extensions early in the 20th century. This plan is of great interest as it shows in simple graphic form the original plans proposed by Sir John Coode for the Warrnambool Breakwater. It is therefore of great historical importance. The Breakwater was not the maritime success that it was hoped it would be but it is today a significant feature of our foreshore. This is a Plan drawn up in 1879 by Victorian Harbours to accompany Sir John Coode’s Report on the proposed Warrnambool Breakwater. The chart detail is hand-drawn and hand-tinted on canvas with the names of places, geographical and marine features and local points of interest added in print. The edges of the chart are rubbed and the chart is somewhat faded and dirty but the main colours of red, green and brown are still clearly discernible. The title of the plan is printed in an oval inset at the top of the chart. The plan shows two possible Breakwater designs, one from the Borough Surveyor (Andrew Kerr?) and one from Sir John Coode.Victorian Harbours Warrnambool Plan to accompany Sir John Coode’s report Dated 28th Feby 1879 warrnambool breakwater, andrew kerr, sir john coode, arthur dudley dobson, warrnambool, warrnambool harbour, warrnambool history, warrnambool beach

This catalogue was written by Joan Luxemburg for the Art Gallery of Ballarat Exhibition of James Meek works (13th June to 9th August 2015). It is not intended as a full biography of James Meek and concentrates on his decorative works. Joan Luxemburg has spent many years researching the life and works of James Meek and the exhibition and catalogue are part of a PhD project at Federation University. A biography of James Meek by Joan Luxemburg is due for publication in 2016. English-born James Meek, a fisherman, cannery operator, poet, writer, explorer in the Otway district, librarian, calligrapher and accountant, was one of the first settlers in Ballarat, building the first house and establishing a cordial and sly grog business. After some time in Melbourne he came to the Warrnambool area, becoming an early settler in the Peterborough area and establishing a cannery there. In Warrnambool he set up a commercial fishing company which failed, organized an Otways exploration trip looking for gold and established a reputation for producing fine calligraphy works. He was in New Zealand from 1874 to 1890 and died in Warrnambool in 1899. This catalogue is important because it records the decorative works of James Meek, an important early settler in Warrnambool and district. Meek was well-known in Warrnambool in the 1850s and 60s as a commercial fisherman, an Otways explorer, a writer and lecturer and a calligrapher. One of his daughters married Peter Dallimore, a fellmonger at Lake Gillear and the Dallimore family is also prominent in our history. The Art Gallery of Ballarat 2015 Exhibition of Meek works featured one of our Meek documents, a Fidler Family tree.This is a catalogue with a reinforced plastic-covered cover. It has 87 pages with illustrations and photographs. The sepia-coloured cover features a portion of a James Meek work of calligraphy.Front cover – ‘The Inimitable Mr Meek’ Back cover – Art Gallery, Ballarat james meek, the inimitable mr meek, james meek artist

This book has been in two Warrnambool lending libraries. It has been borrowed by subscription holders from 1938 to 1950. The book was first in Hudson’s Hygienic Library at 71 Liebig Street Warrnambool. A.R.Hudson had a bookshop and newsagency at the same address. Subscribers to the library paid two shillings and sixpence to join the library and then threepence a week for borrowing the book. The library was open to 9 p.m. and was advertised as ‘The most up-to-date library in the Western District.’ ‘Hygienic’ libraries were a feature of privately-operated libraries in Australia, mostly in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The increased interest in germ prevention and health improvement led to the ‘hygienic’ practice of sterilising the books after each borrowing. It appears that the books were wiped with formaldehyde. Following Hudson’s ownership of this book, it was in Stronach’s Library at 105B Liebig Street. There have been examples of private subscription libraries in Warrnambool since the 1860s (plus the subscription library available at the Mechanics’ Institute). After 1950, with the increase in the funding and building of public libraries, subscription libraries for the general public largely disappeared. This book is of interest as an example of the books that could be borrowed from a private subscription library in Warrnambool in the early to mid 20th centuries. This is a hard cover book of 247 pages. The cover is red and yellow with an illustration of a racing car on the front and black printing on the front and back. The spine has been reinforced with black tape which is now peeling off. The inside front cover and the back cover have stickers from lending libraries. Inside the back cover are a series of stamps. The book is scuffed and somewhat stained. ‘Hudson’s Hygienic Library’ ‘Stronach’s Library’ warrnambool subscription libraries

The nine postcards in this set were donated together and date to the early 1900s. All but one postcard in this set shows images of Warrnambool, in the Western District of Victoria; the other has a London image. The postcards were all printed in Great Britain according to that country’s postal regulations. The fronts of all cards have titles printed in red. Most of the images on the cards are attributed to photographer Joseph Jordan and belong to the Jordan Series. The back of these cards has an outline for a postage stamp, a vertical dividing line and a heading on each side of the line to separate the Correspondence from the Address. Postcards or ‘correspondence cards’ appeared in Britain in 1894. They were plain cards with a space for the message on one side and an address on the other; regulations didn’t allow anything but the address to be written on the ‘address’ side. In 1902 the British regulations then allowed a picture to be printed on the front and the address on the back, so messages had to be written on the picture side. Soon, the regulations changed and the back was divided for a message and the address. Christ Church Warrnambool – The image on this card shows Christ Church, a stone building built in 1856. The Anglican church is in Henna Street, Warrnambool. The church, outer buildings and grounds are heritage-listed. Its bell tower harbours German bells. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time, he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid-1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque ‘Fiji’ at ‘Wrecks Beach’ near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.This card is the only one of the nine cards with the location of Warrnambool added to the name 'Joseph Series'. It is also the only one that has text within the outline for the postage stamp. The font used for the test of the headings is slightly different to the other cards. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool. This postcard of Christ Church Warrnambool is significant for its connection to the church. The early building of the church in 1856, within the first decade of Warrnambool being proclaimed a town, shows the strong religious desire of the community. The church is part of Warrnambool's life events and the historical significance of the building,Postcard, one of nine, landscape orientation, coloured print within an oval border and mauve-toned shading. The cameo image is a stone castle-top bell tower beside a church building flanked by trees. A stone fence is across the front, with pedestrian and vehicle white picket gates. The title is in red print on the front of the card. There is no correspondence written on the card. The reverse has inscriptions and outlines for a postage stamp. Jordan Series, printed in Great Britain.Front, in red: “CHRIST CHURCH, WARRNAMBOOL” Back in black: “Jordan Series” “POST CARD” “PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN” “For correspondence” “The Address only to be written here”flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, warrnambool, great ocean road, warrnambool and district, warrnambool scenes, local scenes, views of warrnambool, joseph jordan, jordan series, jordan photography, postcard, souvenir, correspondence, cameo postcard, landscape, christ church, bell tower, german bells, warrnambool church, religious building, stone building, anglican church, parish of warrnambool

The nine postcards in this set were donated together and date to the early 1900s. All but one postcard in this set shows images of Warrnambool, in the Western District of Victoria; the other has a London image. The postcards were all printed in Great Britain according to that country’s postal regulations. The fronts of all cards have titles printed in red. Most of the images on the cards are attributed to photographer Joseph Jordan and belong to the Jordan Series. The back of these cards has an outline for a postage stamp, a vertical dividing line and a heading on each side of the line to separate the Correspondence from the Address. Postcards or ‘correspondence cards’ appeared in Britain in 1894. They were plain cards with a space for the message on one side and an address on the other; regulations didn’t allow anything but the address to be written on the ‘address’ side. In 1902 the British regulations then allowed a picture to be printed on the front and the address on the back, so messages had to be written on the picture side. Soon, the regulations changed and the back was divided for a message and the address. Christ Church Warrnambool – The image on this card shows Christ Church, a stone building built in 1856. The Anglican church is in Henna Street, Warrnambool. The church, outer buildings and grounds are heritage-listed. Its bell tower harbours German bells. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time, he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid-1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque ‘Fiji’ at ‘Wrecks Beach’ near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.This card is the only one of the nine cards with the location of Warrnambool added to the name 'Joseph Series'. It is also the only one that has text within the outline for the postage stamp. The font used for the test of the headings is slightly different to the other cards. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool. This postcard of Christ Church Warrnambool is significant for its connection to the church. The early building of the church in 1856, within the first decade of Warrnambool being proclaimed a town, shows the strong religious desire of the community. The church is part of Warrnambool's life events and the historical significance of the building,Postcard, one of nine, landscape orientation, coloured print within an oval border and mauve-toned shading. The cameo image is of the Interior of the church chapel, with exposed timber beams, white arches decorated with flowers, pews with books on shelves, and organ pipes. There is text on the image. The title is in red print on the front of the card. The back has inscriptions and outlines for a postage stamp. There is no correspondence written on the card. Jordan Series, printed in Great Britain.Front, in red: “CHRIST CHURCH, WARRNAMBOOL” Back in black: “Jordan Series” “POST CARD” “PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN” “For correspondence” “The Address only to be written here” Text on the arch: "THE LORD OF HOSTS"flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, warrnambool, great ocean road, warrnambool and district, warrnambool scenes, local scenes, views of warrnambool, joseph jordan, jordan series, jordan photography, postcard, souvenir, correspondence, cameo postcard, landscape, christ church, bell tower, german bells, warrnambool church, religious building, stone building, anglican church, parish of warrnambool, arch pillars

The nine postcards in this set were donated together and date to the early 1900s. All but one postcard in this set shows images of Warrnambool, in the Western District of Victoria; the other has a London image. The postcards were all printed in Great Britain according to that country’s postal regulations. The fronts of all cards have titles printed in red. Most of the images on the cards are attributed to photographer Joseph Jordan and belong to the Jordan Series. The back of these cards has an outline for a postage stamp, a vertical dividing line and a heading on each side of the line to separate the Correspondence from the Address. Postcards or ‘correspondence cards’ appeared in Britain in 1894. They were plain cards with a space for the message on one side and an address on the other; regulations didn’t allow anything but the address to be written on the ‘address’ side. In 1902 the British regulations then allowed a picture to be printed on the front and the address on the back, so messages had to be written on the picture side. Soon, the regulations changed and the back was divided for a message and the address. Ozone Hotel, Warrnambool – Construction of Warrnambool’s Ozone Hotel and Coffee Palace on the corner of Koroit and Kepler streets began in 1890. The luxury venue included ballrooms, dining rooms, a theatre and a tower. In 1929 it burnt to the ground in a spectacular fire. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time that he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid-1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque ‘Fiji’ at ‘Wrecks Beach’ near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.This postcard of the Ozone Hotel and Coffee Palace is significant for its connection to the Victorian-era hotel. The hotel was a luxury facility that attracted visitors to the town by sea, rail and road. The postcard also represents the short period in which the hotel operated and the notable, unforgettable event of its burning to the ground. Out of the set of nine postcards in this donation, this card is the only one that includes the location of Warrnambool on the back. It is also the only one with text within the outline for the postage stamp and with headings in this font. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool.Postcard, one of nine, landscape orientation, coloured print within an oval border and mauve-toned shading. The cameo image is of a grand three-storey building on a street corner with a tall turret, shorter turrets, and arches on the verandas. The back has inscriptions and outlines for a postage stamp. There is no correspondence written on the card. Jordan Series, printed in Great Britain.Front, in red: “Ozone hotel, Warrnambool” Back in black: “Jordan Series” “POST CARD” “PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN” “For correspondence” “The Address only to be written here”flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, warrnambool, great ocean road, warrnambool and district, warrnambool scenes, local scenes, views of warrnambool, joseph jordan, jordan series, jordan photography, postcard, souvenir, correspondence, cameo postcard, landscape, ozone hotel and coffee palace, ozone hotel, warrnambool hotel, destroyed by fire, coffee palace

The nine postcards in this set were donated together and date to the early 1900s. All but one postcard in this set shows images of Warrnambool, in the Western District of Victoria; the other has a London image. The postcards were all printed in Great Britain according to that country’s postal regulations. The fronts of all cards have titles printed in red. Most of the images on the cards are attributed to photographer Joseph Jordan and belong to the Jordan Series. The back of these cards has an outline for a postage stamp, a vertical dividing line and a heading on each side of the line to separate the Correspondence from the Address. Postcards or ‘correspondence cards’ appeared in Britain in 1894. They were plain cards with a space for the message on one side and an address on the other; regulations didn’t allow anything but the address to be written on the ‘address’ side. In 1902 the British regulations then allowed a picture to be printed on the front and the address on the back, so messages had to be written on the picture side. Soon, the regulations changed and the back was divided for a message and the address. Bay of Biscay, Hopkins River, Warrnambool – This same image was published in Table Talk on January 6th, 1910 and in The Age, on December 18, 1929, referred to a revival of fishing at the Bay of Biscay on the Hopkins River. These and similar articles showcased the Bay of Biscay as a popular boating and fishing location and well worth promoting to places outside of Warrnambool. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time that he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid-1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque ‘Fiji’ at ‘Wrecks Beach’ near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.The image of the figures in a row boat on the river suggests that the location was a popular place to visit. The choice of subject for this postcard indicates the popularity of Warrnambool's natural environment as a tourist attraction at a time when ships called coastal traders brought passengers and cargo to the Port of Warrnambool from ports along Victoria's southwest coast. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool.Postcard, one of nine, portrait orientation, coloured print within a rectangle border with an impressed line around the image and a title in red. The picture shows three figures wearing hats in a rowboat on the bank of a river beside cliffs. There is no correspondence written on the card. The back has inscriptions and outlines for a postage stamp. Jordan Series, printed in Great Britain.Front, in red: “Bay of Biscay, Hopkins River, Warrnambool” Back in green: “Jordan Series” “POST CARD” “PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN” “For correspondence” “The Address only to be written here”flagstaff hill maritime museum, flagstaff hill maritime village, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, warrnambool, great ocean road, warrnambool and district, warrnambool scenes, local scenes, views of warrnambool, joseph jordan, jordan series, jordan photography, postcard, souvenir, correspondence, cameo postcard, bay of biscay, fishing, boating

This book was awarded by the Grasmere Presbyterian Sabbath School to Stuart Jenkins for his essay on the Apostle Paul. The teacher was H. Giles. The Giles family lived on the Allansford Road in the early 20th century. There were several Jenkins families in the Warrnambool district and some were early settlers in the Wangoom/Grasmere area. Some Jenkins families were associated with hotels in Purnim and Woodford and the properties Grasmere Station, Roseneath, Dyffen, Vrowen and Fala Park. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at Grasmere was built in 1898 (the second church on the site). This is a hard cover book of 252 pages. The cover is brown with a multi-coloured illustration of a man and two children on the front cover and black lettering and border ornamentation on the spine and front cover. The dust jacket has a yellow background and the same illustration as on the front cover. The dust cover is partly torn away. There is a full page colour plate at the beginning of the text and a page of advertisements for books by the same publisher at the end of the text. The inscription is handwritten in black ink. ‘Grasmere Presbyterian Sabbath School ‘Essay’ Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul. First Prize Awarded to Stuart Jenkins from his teacher, H. Giles’. stuart jenkins, grasmere, history of warrnambool, grasmere presbyterian church

These badges were produced about 1918 or 1919 to gain finds to assist Australian soldiers discharged from the armed forces after serving in World War One. One source suggests that the badges were sold only in South Australia and raised £500,000 but, as these badges are part of the collection of the Warrnambool and District Historical Society in Victoria it is likely that they were sold throughout Australia. The sale of badges such as these was a common way of raising funds for charitable causes, especially during World War One and also during the first half of the 20th century. These badges are retained as examples of the type of badges sold during World War One. They will be useful for display purposes. .1 A circular-shaped metal badge with a gold outer edging and a brown background with a laurel wreath, a star and brown printing within a cream-coloured heart. The badge has a clip at the back. .2 as above Discharged Soldiers’ Fund For Our Returned Soldiers Copyright world war one, warrnambool, history of warrnambool, australian soldiers, south australia

The Port of Warrnambool - In the early years the Port of Warrnambool was a busy port. Steamships and sailing ships were frequent visitors to the port. Steam navigation companies were plentiful, carrying passengers and freighting cargo such as coal, timber, food, livestock, furniture, hardware and haberdashery between Melbourne and the ports along the southwest coast of Victoria, including Warrnambool. The carts would take their loads into the township for distribution. The Breakwater was built (using 32 ton blocks of concrete) between 1874 and 1890 to provide ships with greater protection from the Southern Ocean. The Lifeboat and Rocket House - The coastline of South West Victoria has had over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it, followed in 1864 by a rocket house to safely store the Rocket Rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost one hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain and improve their skills, summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Joseph Jordan - Joseph Jordan was born in 1841 in Leicester England. When he was 16 he joined the 7th Queen's Own Hussars and was sent to India at the outbreak of the mutiny. He took part in the relief of Lucknow and remained in India for eleven years. It was during this time, he became interested in photography. He was posted to New Zealand and later came to Victoria, becoming a sergeant major of the Mounted Rifles. In the mid 1880s he came to the Western district where he was responsible for establishing units of the Mounted Rifles in various country towns such as Dunkeld, Mortlake, Panmure, Bushfield, Koroit etc. He resigned from the army in 1889 and set up a professional photography studio in Liebig Street, Warrnambool. He became very well known in the Western District for family photographs, official photographs of local councillors and groups as well as views of local scenery. In 1891 he photographed the wrecked barque "Fiji" at "Wrecks Beach" near Princetown. His business was taken over by his son Arthur around 1917. Joseph was a keen rifle shot and in 1924 he donated the "Jordan Shield" as a prize to the Victorian Rifle Association. He was made a "Life Honorary Member" of the Warrnambool Returned Soldiers League and in 1933 he was recognised as being the oldest living soldier in Victoria. Joseph died in 1935 aged 95.This photograph is significant for its association with the Port of Warrnambool and the Warrnambool Breakwater as it shows a point in time when shipping activities were an important part of Warrnambool's commerce and social development. It is also a record of the Warrnambool Lifeboat and Rocket house which was important in aiding ordinary citizens, harbour employees and the volunteer boat and rescue crew in saving the lives of sailors and passengers due to the high number of shipwrecks that occurred along the coastline. Joseph Jordan is a significant figure in Warrnambool history as he helped to establish early units of the Mounted Rifles (G Company) in local towns during the late 1880's and later, photographed local scenes, groups and citizens of early Warrnambool. Sepia photograph showing the beach and the Breakwater in Lady Bay Warrnambool, two ships (a steamship and a barque), a small sailboat, and the Lifeboat and Rocket House plus two smaller sheds.Front of photo - BREAKWATER, WARRNAMBOOL, VICTORIA Back of photo - "From: P Gregory / 365 Beach Road / BLACK ROCK 3193"flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum, warrnambool, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, breakwater, lifeboat and rocket shed, steamship, barque, photograph of lady bay, rocket house, shipping, joseph jordan, lady bay, views of warrnambool, jordan photography

The Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club was first formed in September 1859, but didn't become a properly constituted club until April 1873, when a meeting was held at the Commercial Hotel, now the Whaler's Inn, and a committee was elected.Part of the present racecourse of 100 acres was set aside as a racing and recreation reserve in August 1855. It is one of the finest racecourses in Australia, ringed by the gentle slopes of a huge basin.The first race meeting was held on the course in August 1858. The Warrnambool Racing Club has managed racing at Warrnambool since it was formed on 5 April 1873.Apart from a number of smaller meetings held throughout the year, the feature of racing in the district is the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The first steeplechase over the now famous cross-country course was run on 13th June 1872 then known as the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The paddocks now know as Brierly and Granters were first used on that date. The course, over four miles, was made up of different kinds of jumps including a stone wall, a log fence, a ditch and parapet, a paling fence and numerous post and rails. The name Grand Annual was first used for this steeplechase in May 1895. It is the longest horse race in Australia, and the thirty three fences of the course, the most of any steeplechase in the world is raced over 5,500 metres. The three day May racing carnival is the major racing event on the horseracing and social calendar. Many of these race booklets relate to those May meetings. The Warrnambool Racecourse has been the home of district racing clubs such as Woodford, Purnim and Koroit over the latter part of the 20th century. The Woodford Racing club holds their annual meeting after Christmas each year. The Winslow races were held from approximately mid-19th century to around 1946. It began as a small picnic race club in Tobin’s paddock to a splendid race course on the property, “Green Hills” owned by Mr. John O’Keefe about one mile north of the Winslow township.. The annual meetings held on New Year’s Day drew crowds of seven to eight thousand people. All of these books contains family names which in some cases are still strongly linked to horse racing in the district.These booklets are a tangible link to a great sporting and social event in the Western District. A collection of programmes for race meetings. They relate to Warrnambool, Woodford, Purnim, Winslow and Victoria Racing Club meetings in the period 1922 to 1931. All are soft card covers with approximately 16 pages in each in white paper. They are numbered as follows: 001250.1 WRC Soft green cover with blue text 01/05/1923 001250.2 WRC Mauve cover with blue text 03/05/1923 001250.3 WRC fawn cover with red text 06/05/1924 001250.4 WRC Orange cover with blue text 08/05/1924 001250.5 WRC Soft green cover with light brown text 05/05/1925 001250.6 WRC Soft green cover with red text 07/05/1925 001250.7 WRC fawn cover with brown text 04/05/1926 001250.8 Woodford racing Club soft pink cover, Blue text 01/04/1922 001250.9 Woodford racing Club green cover, Blue text 07/04/1923 001250.9 Woodford racing Club grey cover, Blue text 05/04/1924 001250.10 Woodford racing Club grey cover, Blue text 05/04/1924 001250.11 Woodford Racing Club green cover, Blue text 22/11/1924 001250.12 Woodford Racing Club green cover, brown text 04/04/1925 001250.13 Woodford Racing Club orange cover, blue text 10/04/1926 001250.14 Woodford Racing Club pink cover, green text 10/04/1926 001250.15 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, blue text 18/11/1922 001250.16 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, red text 13/11/1926 001250.17 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, brown text 15/11/1924 001250.18 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, green text 18/01/1922 001250.19 Warrnambool Racing Club grey cover, blue text 15/01/1924 001250.20 Warrnambool Racing Club cream cover, blue text 13/01/1925 001250.21 Warrnambool Racing Club pink cover, blue text 15/01/1925 001250.22 Warrnambool Racing Club olive green cover, blue text 12/01/1926 001250.23 Warrnambool Racing Club blue cover, blue text 14/01/1926 001250.24 Warrnambool Racing Club soft green cover, blue text 13/01/1931 001250.24 Warrnambool Racing Club orange cover, black text 16/01/1930 001250.25 Warrnambool Racing Club orange cover, black text 16/01/1930 001250.26 Purnim Racing Club green cover, blue text 19/05/1924 001250.27 Winslow Racing Club pink cover,black text 21/04/1923 001250.28 Winslow Racing Club green cover,black text 06/12/1924 001250.29 Victoria Racing Club cream cover,green text 11/07//1923 001250.30 Victoria Racing Club cream cover, red text 14/07//1923 Most of the booklets have markings with place getters and jockeys marked in pencil. Warrnambool Racing club books have R U Forbes, C T Alexander A H Davies and William White as secretaries. Woodford club has Thomas Gleeson as secretary, Winslow 's secretary is W Latta and Purnim is P J Kelly. The local booklets are printed by The Modern Print Co Koroit St Warrnambool.warrnambool, warrnambool racing club, winslow racing club, woodford racing club, purnim racing club, victoria racing club

This letter book (1910-1922) was found in the old Mackay Taylor building in Kepler Street. The Secretary of the Presbytery of Mortlake in the early 1900s was George Mackay who established his legal business in 1891 and merged with the business of James Fletcher in 1893 to form Fletcher and Mackay. In the 1920s J. Taylor joined the business which was known from then on as Mackay and Taylor and this firm existed until the 1990s. George Mackay was prominent in Warrnambool civic and community affairs and was Secretary of St. John’s Presbyterian Church for many years. The Presbytery of Mortlake was an administrative district committee established in 1862 and included the Presbyterian churches of Port Fairy, Tower Hill, Wangoom, Allansford, Warrnambool, Woodford, Hexham, Caramut, Mortlake and Terang. The committee consisted of the local ministers, some elders and other church representatives and met monthly or quarterly to discuss church business that affected the region.This letter book is of some significance as it indicates the type of business carried out by a district church council – properties, missions, individual church problems etc. It also shows the community work of George Mackay, a prominent Warrnambool resident at the time, and the book contains his signature many times over. The book will be of interest to researchers. This is a ledger with dark blue binding and binding reinforcements on the spine and corners. The inside covers are lined with thick paper in a mottled blue, black and white coloured pattern. There are 249 pages of copies of letters written, some typed, some handwritten. Front cover: Label with typed title ‘Presbytery of Mortlake’ Spine:’ Letter Book’, ‘Mortlake Presby’. presbytery of mortlake, george mackay, warrnambool

Tait collection: item 25 of 62 This document contains details on the will and probate of Joseph Kelson, a farmer from Kirkstall who died in April 1906. He was a contractor who died at the age of 46 leaving a widow, Margaret (nee Flahavin) and eight children. The two oldest boys took over the contracting business and Joseph’s brother, David, supported the family during their time of need. Joseph Kelson left personal estate to the value of £460 with the chief beneficiary being his widow Margaret. Ernest Chambers, the lawyer who drew up this document had a legal practice in Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He had possession of this document and it passed down to successive lawyers who occupied the Kepler Street legal premises and it was located in this building in 2014 and passed on to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society. This document is of interest as it gives details of the will and probate of Joseph Kelson who lived in the Warrnambool area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It will be useful to researchers. This is 1906 cream-coloured piece of parchment folded in two with handwritten material on three sides. It contains the will and probate details of Joseph Kelson, a farmer from Kirkstall, Victoria. There is a seal of the Supreme Court of Victoria and four red stamps of the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court. The material is written in black ink. In the Supreme Court of Victoria; In the Probate Jurisdiction; In the Will of John James Kelson late of Kirkstall in the State of Victoria Contractor deceasedernest chambers, joseph kelson, kirkstall, tait collection

This book was a prize awarded to Miss Middleton, a pupil at Ormiston House College, East Melbourne in 1887. The Principals of the school were the Misses Singleton and their father, Dr John Singleton was a practising doctor in Warrnambool from 1860 to 1865. He had an important influence on Warrnambool, establishing several Total Abstinence Societies and campaigning for improved health conditions for pastoral workers in the district and the aborigines at Framlingham. In Melbourne Dr Singleton and his wife worked tirelessly for the underprivileged. He established many institutions for the less fortunate, including the Prisoners’ Aid Society, the Children’s Hospital, lending libraries, cottages for widows, shelters for homeless men and women, a society for the protection of animals and the Collingwood Free Medical Dispensary. He died in 1891 at Ormiston House, his daughters’ school and home. It is not known which of the Singleton daughters ran the school and no information has been found on Miss Middleton. This book is of considerable interest as it has a close connection to Dr John Singleton, important not only in the social history of Melbourne but also in the history of Warrnambool. This is a hard cover book of 160 pages with 16 pages at the back of the book of advertisements for other books published by the Religious Tract Society. The cover is brown with a sketch of a young man and lettering in gold and an ornamental floral pattern on the front cover. The gold lettering and the ornamental floral pattern are also on the spine. The book has 13 chapters with ornamental scrolls and initials at the beginning and end of each chapter. There are also some full page black and white sketches in the book, with the one at the front of the book covered by a piece of tissue paper. The book plate at the front of the book is white with a gold border pasted onto the page and handwritten details have been added in black ink. The book is a little scuffed at the edges of the cover. ‘Ormiston House College, East Melbourne, Principals, The Misses Singleton, Prize for Writing and Maps in Upper Third Class Awarded to Miss Middleton, Christmas 1887.’ dr john singleton, ormiston house, history of warrnambool